Hadrian | Biography & Facts

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[{"p":3,"t":251204},{"p":2,"t":507739},{"p":1,"t":28759},{"p":3,"t":507759},{"p":1,"t":441553},{"p":1,"t":251254},{"p":1,"t":335026},{"p":29,"t":557348},{"p":33,"t":507905},{"p":1,"t":209020}], "sequence": 1, "topics": {} }); </script> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content md-expanded" data-topic-id="251204"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hadrian">Hadrian</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/biography/Hadrian">Introduction & Top Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref2960"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Hadrian#ref2960">Early life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref2961"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Hadrian#ref2961">Rise to power</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref2962"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Hadrian/Policies-as-emperor">Policies as emperor</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref2963"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Hadrian/Artistic-achievements">Artistic achievements</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref2964"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Hadrian/Artistic-achievements#ref2964">Last years</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hadrian/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Hadrian">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hadrian/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/109769-050-0A7E1428/statue-emperor-excavation-Hadrian-Roman-Turkey-Sagalassos.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/147320" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/109769-004-4A521FC9/statue-emperor-excavation-Hadrian-Roman-Turkey-Sagalassos.jpg" alt="Hadrian" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/196765-050-5A2953AD/portrait-bust-Roman-emperor-collection-Hadrian-Vatican-138-ce.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/238511" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/196765-004-B7E7E065/portrait-bust-Roman-emperor-collection-Hadrian-Vatican-138-ce.jpg" alt="Hadrian" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/29/116329-050-02E60A61/Portion-Hadrians-Wall-Northumberland-National-Park-England.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/112466" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/29/116329-004-EF2512C3/Portion-Hadrians-Wall-Northumberland-National-Park-England.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/146732-050-7A7ACC18/border-Hadrians-Wall-Scottish-England.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/197264" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/146732-004-A2970B86/border-Hadrians-Wall-Scottish-England.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Wall" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/177995-050-51D61BFF/section-Housesteads-Fort-Roman-Northumberland-England-Hadrians.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/200503" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/177995-004-2FD86080/section-Housesteads-Fort-Roman-Northumberland-England-Hadrians.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Wall: Housesteads Fort" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/118632-004-C014FFF7/Antinous-bust-Athens-National-Archaeological-Museum.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/114488" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/118632-004-C014FFF7/Antinous-bust-Athens-National-Archaeological-Museum.jpg" alt="Antinoüs" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/146713-050-3A45D56E/Hadrians-Villa-Tivoli-Italy.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/154735" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/146713-004-D3D050BC/Hadrians-Villa-Tivoli-Italy.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Villa" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/42232-004-9AFEDFB1/Canopus-Canal-ce-Hadrians-Villa-Tivoli-Italy-c-123-ce.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/122201" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/42232-004-9AFEDFB1/Canopus-Canal-ce-Hadrians-Villa-Tivoli-Italy-c-123-ce.jpg" alt="Hadrian's Villa" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/129088-050-3FB9A213/Castel-SantAngelo-Tiber-River-Rome.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/126572" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/129088-004-60B2FD74/Castel-SantAngelo-Tiber-River-Rome.jpg" alt="Sant'Angelo castle and bridge" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/179248-050-E2FAEE99/Castel-SantAngelo-Hadrian-tomb-Rome-Roman-135-ce.jpg" data-href="/media/1/251204/197276" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/179248-004-2AF8FAC2/Castel-SantAngelo-Hadrian-tomb-Rome-Roman-135-ce.jpg" alt="Rome: Castel Sant'Angelo (Hadrian's mausoleum)" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-student-links"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> For Students </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/summary/Hadrian"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/98/11298-004-A046C21F/Hadrian-bust-Naples-National-Archaeological-Museum.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Hadrian, bust in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/summary/Hadrian" >Hadrian summary</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-quizzes"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Quizzes </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/the-roman-empire"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/152559-131-67C5F744/Roman-Forum-Temple-of-Saturn-Italy-Rome.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Overlooking the Roman Forum with Temple of Saturn in Rome, Italy" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/the-roman-empire" >The Roman Empire</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/kings-and-emperors-part-iii-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/115195-131-5A6187D9/Napoleon-His-Imperial-Robes-Francois-Gerard-Versailles-1805.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon in Coronation Robes or Napoleon I Emperor of France, 1804 by Baron Francois Gerard or Baron Francois-Pascal-Simon Gerard, from the Musee National, Chateau de Versailles." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/kings-and-emperors-part-iii-quiz" >Kings and Emperors (Part III) Quiz</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/roman-and-byzantine-emperors-quiz"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/217773-131-025D78EB/Statue-Roman-emperor-Nero-Anzio-Italy.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Statue of of the Roman emperor Nero with the lighthouse in the background at Anzio, Lazio region, Italy" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/roman-and-byzantine-emperors-quiz" >Roman and Byzantine Emperors Quiz</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-questions"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 pb-0 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-15"> Related Questions </div> <ul> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/How-did-Greek-culture-influence-Hadrian">How did Greek culture influence Hadrian?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-was-Hadrians-architectural-legacy">What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/What-was-Hadrians-relationship-with-his-Jewish-subjects">What was Hadrian’s relationship with his Jewish subjects? </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-read-next"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Read Next </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/how-did-greek-culture-influence-hadrian"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/211913-131-ADD9618F/Hadrian-Roman-emperor-statue-Agora-Athens-Greece.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Statue of the emperor Hadrian at the ancient Agora of Athens, Greece." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/how-did-greek-culture-influence-hadrian" >How did Greek culture influence Hadrian?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/what-was-hadrians-relationship-with-his-jewish-subjects"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/211912-131-8F16AAAF/Hadrian-Roman-emperor-117-138.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Hadrian, Roman emperor from 117 to 138." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/what-was-hadrians-relationship-with-his-jewish-subjects" >What was Hadrian’s relationship with his Jewish subjects?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/what-was-hadrians-architectural-legacy"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/146713-131-14C821CC/Hadrians-Villa-Tivoli-Italy.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana in Italian) near Rome, Italy." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/what-was-hadrians-architectural-legacy" >What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/of-walls-and-politics-5-famous-border-walls"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/170980-131-BA4D23D3/Great-Wall-of-China.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Great Wall of China. 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.unrv.com/five-good-emperors/hadrian.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">UNRV Roman History - Hadrian</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://archive.org/details/emperorhadriana00greggoog" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Internet Archive - "The Emperor Hadrian: A Picture of the Graeco-Roman World in His Time"</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hadrians-wall/hadrians-wall-history-and-stories/hadrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">English Heritage - Emperor Hadrian</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://roman-emperors.sites.luc.edu/hadrian.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">De Imperatoribus - An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors - Hadrian</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/videos/hadrian-and-antinous-0019596" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Ancient Origins - Facial Reconstructions of Emperor Hadrian and Antinous</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Historia_Augusta/Hadrian/1*.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Encyclopaedia Romana - Historia Augusta</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://roman-empire.net/people/hadrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">An Illustrated History of the Roman Empire - Biography of Emperor Hadrian</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://spartacus-educational.com/ROMhadrian.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Spartacus Educational - Biography of Hadrian</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">World History Encyclopedia - Biography of Hadrian</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Hadrian/274721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hadrian - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Adrian, Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, Publius Aelius Hadrianus</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/GW-Bowersock/339" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">G.W. Bowersock</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Professor of Ancient History, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey. Author of <i>Greek Sophists in the Roman Empire </i>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> G.W. Bowersock</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-02T00:00:00CST" >Feb 2, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hadrian/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also spelled: </dt> <dd>Adrian</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Latin in full: </dt> <dd>Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Original name (until 117 ce): </dt> <dd>Publius Aelius Hadrianus</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Born: </dt> <dd>January 24, 76 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Died: </dt> <dd>July 10, 138, <a href="/place/Baiae">Baiae</a> [Baia], near Naples [Italy] (aged 62)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Title / Office: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/emperor-title">emperor (117-138)</a>, <a href="/place/Roman-Empire">Roman Empire</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/consul-ancient-Roman-official">consul (108-108)</a>, <a href="/place/Roman-Empire">Roman Empire</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Founder: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Antinoopolis">Antinoöpolis</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Role In: </dt> <dd><a href="/event/Bar-Kokhba-Revolt">Bar Kokhba Revolt</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Hadrian"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>How did Greek culture influence Hadrian?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Before being named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Trajan\">Trajan<\/a>\u2019s successor as Roman emperor, Hadrian spent time in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Athens\">Athens<\/a> that encouraged his interest in Hellenic culture. After becoming emperor in 117, Hadrian sponsored public works projects in Athens and granted Greeks equal representation in Rome. Hadrian\u2019s portraiture, characterized by his long hair and tight beard, demonstrates the extent of his philhellenism. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/how-did-greek-culture-influence-hadrian\">Learn more.<\/a>" } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What was Hadrian\u2019s architectural legacy?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Pantheon-building-Rome-Italy\">Pantheon<\/a> in Rome is arguably the most famous structure associated with Hadrian. Virtually intact today, it synthesizes Greek and Roman architectural elements, among them the characteristic dome and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/oculus\">oculus<\/a><\/em>. Hadrian\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hadrians-Villa\">opulent countryside villa<\/a> is also well known. Spanning seven square miles, it demonstrates the architectural prowess and cultural scope of the empire at its peak." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What was Hadrian\u2019s relationship with his Jewish subjects? <\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Hadrian made several efforts to Romanize the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Jew-people\">Jewish<\/a> province of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Judaea\">Judaea<\/a>, sparking a widespread <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/Bar-Kokhba-Revolt\">Jewish revolt<\/a> in 132 CE under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Bar-Kokhba-Jewish-leader\">Bar Kokhba<\/a>. Despite initial successes, the insurgents were eventually defeated by a scorched-earth campaign that ravaged the province. Hadrian punished Judaea\u2019s Jewish population with laws aimed at eradicating the people and their religion. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/what-was-hadrians-relationship-with-his-jewish-subjects\">Learn more.<\/a>" } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>How did Greek culture influence Hadrian?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Before being named <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Trajan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Trajan</a>’s successor as Roman emperor, Hadrian spent time in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Athens" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Athens</a> that encouraged his interest in Hellenic culture. After becoming emperor in 117, Hadrian sponsored public works projects in Athens and granted Greeks equal representation in Rome. Hadrian’s portraiture, characterized by his long hair and tight beard, demonstrates the extent of his philhellenism. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-greek-culture-influence-hadrian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Learn more.</a></p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pantheon-building-Rome-Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pantheon</a> in Rome is arguably the most famous structure associated with Hadrian. Virtually intact today, it synthesizes Greek and Roman architectural elements, among them the characteristic dome and <em><a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/oculus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">oculus</a></em>. Hadrian’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hadrians-Villa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">opulent countryside villa</a> is also well known. Spanning seven square miles, it demonstrates the architectural prowess and cultural scope of the empire at its peak.</p></div><div class="connections border-top mt-15"><a href="/story/what-was-hadrians-architectural-legacy" class="d-flex mt-15">What was Hadrian’s architectural legacy?</a>Learn more about Hadrian’s artistic temperament.</div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What was Hadrian’s relationship with his Jewish subjects? </div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Hadrian made several efforts to Romanize the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jew-people" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jewish</a> province of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Judaea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Judaea</a>, sparking a widespread <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Bar-Kokhba-Revolt" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jewish revolt</a> in 132 CE under <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bar-Kokhba-Jewish-leader" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bar Kokhba</a>. Despite initial successes, the insurgents were eventually defeated by a scorched-earth campaign that ravaged the province. Hadrian punished Judaea’s Jewish population with laws aimed at eradicating the people and their religion. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/what-was-hadrians-relationship-with-his-jewish-subjects" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Learn more.</a></p></div></div></div></div></div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.sci.news/archaeology/papyrus-cotton-13616.html" rel="nofollow">1,900-Year-Old Papyrus Reveals Criminal Case from Roman Empire</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Jan. 29, 2025, 3:32 AM ET (Sci.News) </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref277607"></span>Hadrian</strong> (born January 24, 76 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span>—died July 10, 138, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Baiae" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Baiae</a> [Baia], near Naples [Italy]) was a Roman <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/emperor-title" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">emperor</a> (117–138 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span>), the emperor <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Trajan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Trajan</a>’s cousin and successor, who was a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="cultivated" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivated" data-type="MW">cultivated</a> admirer of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Greece" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Greek civilization</a> and who unified and consolidated <span id="ref277608"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rome’s</a> vast empire. He was the third of the so-called <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Good-Emperors" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Five Good Emperors</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref2960"><h2 class="h1">Early life</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Hadrian’s Roman forebears left Picenum in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italy</a> for southern Spain about 250 years before his birth. His father was from Italica, Baetica (modern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Andalusia-region-Spain" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Andalusia</a>), and his mother from Gades (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cadiz-Spain" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cádiz</a>). Hadrian’s birthplace remains a matter of dispute, some sources locating it in his father’s hometown of Italica and others claiming that he was born in Rome.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">His father died in 85, and Hadrian was entrusted to the care of two men: one, a cousin of his father, later became the emperor <span id="ref277609"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Trajan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Trajan</a>, and the other, <span id="ref277610"></span>Acilius Attianus, later served as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/prefect-ancient-Roman-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">prefect</a> of the emperor’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Praetorian-Guard" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Praetorian Guard</a> early in Hadrian’s own reign. In 90 Hadrian visited <span id="ref277611"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italica" class="md-crosslink ">Italica</a>, where he remained for several years. There he received some kind of military training and also developed a fondness for hunting that he kept for the rest of his life.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref2961"><h2 class="h1">Rise to power</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">When Trajan was <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/consul-ancient-Roman-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">consul</a> in 91, Hadrian began to follow the traditional career of a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Senate-Roman-history" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Roman senator</a>, advancing through a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="conventional" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/conventional" data-type="EB">conventional</a> series of posts. He was military <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/tribune-Roman-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">tribune</a> with three Roman <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/legion" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legions</a>. In about 95 he served with the Legion II Adjutrix in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/province-ancient-Roman-government" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">province</a> of Upper Moesia, on the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Danube-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Danube River</a>, whence he transferred in the next year to Lower Moesia (with the Fifth Macedonica). Toward the end of 97, Hadrian was chosen to go west to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Gaul-ancient-region-Europe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gaul</a> to convey congratulations to Trajan, whom the aged emperor <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nerva-Roman-emperor" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nerva</a> had just adopted and thereby designated his successor. Trajan’s ward now belonged to the governing circles of the empire. Inevitably, hostility and envy awaited him. In 98 Julius <span id="ref277612"></span>Servianus, his brother-in-law, attempted unsuccessfully to prevent him from being the first to inform Trajan of Nerva’s death. Thereafter, the two men were probably never on <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="cordial" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/cordial" data-type="EB">cordial</a> terms, for Servianus posed a constant threat to Hadrian’s position.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The greatest single political figure behind the emperor Trajan was the man who had masterminded his elevation, <span id="ref277613"></span>Lucius Licinius Sura. Hadrian enjoyed Sura’s favour, and, as long as he was alive, Hadrian prospered. Trajan’s wife, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pompeia-Plotina" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Plotina</a>, seems also to have been close to Sura and a partisan of Hadrian. For a time Servianus could do no harm. Through Plotina’s favour, Hadrian married Trajan’s grand-niece, Vibia Sabina, in 100. In 101 Hadrian was <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/quaestor-ancient-Roman-official" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">quaestor</a> and in 102 served as Trajan’s companion in the emperor’s first war in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Dacia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Dacia</a> on the Danube. In 105 Hadrian became tribune of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/plebeian" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">plebs</a> and, exceptionally, advanced to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/praetor" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">praetorship</a> in 106. No less exceptional than the speed of promotion was Hadrian’s service as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/praetor" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">praetor</a> while in the field with the emperor during his second war in Dacia. In 107 he was briefly governor of Lower Pannonia. Then, in 108, Hadrian reached the coveted <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="pinnacle" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinnacle" data-type="MW">pinnacle</a> of a senator’s career, the consulate. In 107 <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Licinius" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Licinius</a> Sura had held that office for the third time, an honour vouchsafed to very few. It was a cruel blow when Sura died at an unknown date immediately following Hadrian’s consulate.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/the-roman-empire" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/59/152559-131-67C5F744/Roman-Forum-Temple-of-Saturn-Italy-Rome.jpg" alt="Overlooking the Roman Forum with Temple of Saturn in Rome, Italy" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">The Roman Empire</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Hadrian’s career apparently stopped for nearly 10 years. Other promising young Romans suffered a similar retardation at about the same time. It would appear that a new political influence, opposed to Sura, Plotina, and Hadrian, dominated Trajan’s court after Sura’s death. Perhaps Servianus played some role. One fact <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="illuminates" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminates" data-type="MW">illuminates</a> this otherwise obscure period of Hadrian’s life: he was <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/archon-ancient-Greek-magistrate" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">archon</a> at <span id="ref277614"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Athens" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Athens</a> in 112, and a surviving inscription <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="commemorating" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemorating" data-type="MW">commemorating</a> this office was set up in the <span id="ref277615"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Theatre-of-Dionysus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Theatre of Dionysus</a>. Hadrian’s <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="tenure" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenure" data-type="MW">tenure</a> is a portent of the <span id="ref277616"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Hellenistic-Age" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">philhellenism</a> that characterized his reign, and it suggests that in a time of political inactivity Hadrian devoted himself to the nation and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="culture" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture" data-type="MW">culture</a> of his beloved Greeks. Somehow, however, Hadrian’s star rose again, and he returned to favour before the emperor died.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">One source says that Hadrian was an officer under Trajan during the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Parthia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Parthian</a> wars at the end of his reign. In 117, when Trajan began his journey westward, Hadrian was left in charge of the crucial army in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Syria</a>. Friends of Hadrian, whose careers had been held up, can also be discovered in sensitive commands at the same time, probably because Plotina and her associates had regained Trajan’s confidence. On August 9 Hadrian learned that Trajan had adopted him, the sign of succession. On the 11th, it was reported that Trajan had died on the way to Rome, whereupon the army proclaimed Hadrian emperor. The sequence of events has always provoked suspicion of a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="conspiracy" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspiracy" data-type="MW">conspiracy</a> on Plotina’s part, but the truth will never be known. 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Hadrian | Biography & Facts | Britannica