Hadrian

Hadrian was a cosmopolitan intellectual and tireless traveller who consolidated the empire rather than expanding it. He abandoned Trajan's eastern conquests, built the famous wall across northern Britain, and was a passionate patron of Greek culture and architecture, including the Pantheon in its present form.

Hadrian defined the empire's permanent frontiers and shifted imperial policy from expansion to consolidation. His architectural legacy, including the Pantheon and his wall in Britain, endures as some of the most iconic structures of the ancient world.

Key Events

117 AD Accession; immediately withdrew from Trajan's Mesopotamian conquests

121 AD Began extensive travels through the provinces that would last over a decade

122 AD Ordered construction of Hadrian's Wall across northern Britain

130 AD Founded Antinoopolis in Egypt after the drowning of Antinous

132 AD Bar Kokhba revolt in Judaea; brutal suppression over three years

138 AD Adopted Antoninus Pius as successor; died at Baiae

Coinage

Hadrian's coinage is among the most diverse and artistically accomplished in the Roman series. His famous 'travel series' depicts personifications of the provinces he visited, and his portraits are notable for being the first to consistently depict a bearded emperor.

Denominations

Aureus Denarius Sestertius Dupondius As Quadrans

Notable Types

Provincial travel series (AEGYPTOS, BRITANNIA, HISPANIA, etc.)
RESTITVTORI types
Antinous commemoratives (rare)
Hadrian's Wall types

Common Reverses

RESTITVTORI ORBIS TERRARVM ADVENTVI AVG BRITANNIAE AEGYPTOS HISPANIA FELICITAS AVG COS III

Active Mints

Rome

Key Events

Coinage

Related Resources

Further Reading