‘The Five Good Emperors” includes Hadrian in this select category, along with Nerva, Trajan, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius.

Hadrian is the emperor who was chosen to succeed Trajan. He carried out his duties during Rome’s Golden Age. This lasted from Trajan’s reign until the death of Marcus Aurelius – from AD 98 to 180.

Hadrian could easily stand out among the best emperors Rome ever had. A term proposed by Niccolo Machiavelli in 1503 and taken up by the historian Edward Gibbon in the 18th century.

Biography of Hadrian

What does the name Hadrian mean?

The emperor Hadrian, known by his name Caesar Trajan Hadrianus Augustus, ruled the Roman Empire between 117 and 138 AD. Although his family was of Spanish descent, he spent his life in Rome.

The name of Emperor Hadrian means “inhabitant of Hadria.” The name of the Emperor comes from a province that represents the original place of the Aelia family that emigrated to Spain, from which the emperor Hadrian derives his origins.

Because Hadria was a geographical area, this name shows at the beginning the origin and origin of the people who bore these names.

What was Emperor Hadrian known for?

Anxious by nature but also sensitive and curious, he traversed every province of his empire, where he spent more time than he spent in Rome.

Hadrian is known for his reforms in the military and the judiciary. The architecture of the empire developed considerably with art under Hadrian. Another fact by which Emperor Hadrian became known is the bridge that would bear his name in Britain, representing the Roman Empire’s northern border.

On the outer plane of the empire, he established peace with the parties and restored the eastern border of the empire on the Euphrates. Thus, he renounced the territories conquered by Trajan: Armenia, Assyria, and Mesopotamia.

Why was Hadrian a good emperor?

Emperor Hadrian traveled more than any other emperor and visited every province of the Roman Empire. He was generous with the army and helped reorganize it. He also helped build garrisons and forts.

According to historical sources, Emperor Hadrian was a very generous man and a good emperor. He donated large sums to the empire’s communities and those in need. Thus, Hadrian took care of his people, managed Rome’s money properly, and focused on strengthening borders.

Due to his deeds and the reforms he adopted, Emperor Hadrian is remembered as a good leader and a leader capable of caring for his people.

Who was Emperor Hadrian’s lover?

Hadrian’s whole life was going to change after his expedition from Greece, where he followed in the footsteps of those inspired to change the architecture of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Hadrian’s love was represented by Antinous, a young teenager who would join Emperor Hadrian’s entourage. Unfortunately, during one of the leader’s expeditions to Egypt, Hadrian’s boyfriend drowned in the Nile River. After the unfortunate event, Hadrian offered Antinous the status of a god, thus dedicating to him a faith created especially for him.

Young Antinous became the love of his life, as they had been in a relationship for several years. 

What did Emperor Hadrian do to the Jews?

Lately, Emperor Hadrian has been receiving more and more bad news. Judea started a revolt against the king, destroying all the statues of the new god. They wanted to pray only to their one and only God.

Hadrian planned to Romanize the region of Judea. So he sent his best generals to the province, led by Julius Severus. Thus, in 135, he managed to end the battle against the Jews by winning. Following the victory, Emperor Hadrian decides to erase the existence of the Jews in the empire.

All of Hadrian’s efforts to remove the Jews would be long-term. The Jews will not be able to take control of their country for more than 1800 years. Over 585,000 Jews perished in Hadrian’s cruel revenge.

What were Hadrian’s beliefs?

In ancient Rome, the inhabitant’s and emperors’ religions were paganism or the glorification of several gods. 

Emperor Hadrian was part of the cult of paganism. He also built a temple of Jupiter in Jerusalem. After the death of his beloved Antinous, he raised him to the rank of god. 

Emperor Hadrian’s decision to raise statues of a new god would lead to the beginning of his conflict with the Jews. The Jews refused to accept the emperor’s religion and wanted only one god, their own.

The construction of the temple of Jupiter was a strategic one. On Mount Golgotha, where Christ was crucified, he built the temple to erase its Christian significance.

Who built Hadrian’s wall?

Until the accession of Emperor Hadrian, the Romans tried harder to defend their territories from Caledonians. And others who wanted to take possession of them.

Thus, at Hadrian’s behest, the governors of Great Britain began building a bridge. It would bear the name of the emperor and had the role of defending the territories and strengthening the border. According to Hadrian, the part of the bridge was to separate the Romanians from the northern barbarians.

The scholars believed that this bridge would have helped in the issue of immigration both in and in the Roman Empire. Nowadays, the bridge has remained only as a tourist attraction that attracts hundreds of visitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this emperor maintained peace in the Roman Empire for a long time.

From another point of view, Hadrian showed wisdom and tolerance as he minimized persecution of Christians by demanding clear evidence against them only if they broke the law.