HADRIA'NUS, P. ALMS. a Roman emperor (117-138 A.D.), was b. at Rome, Jan. 24, 76 A..D. During the reign of Trajan, who was his guardian, and with whom he was connected by marriage (his father, who was a Roman senator, having married the aunt of Trajan), he tilled several high offices in the state. He accompanied the emperor in his wars against Deceualus, where he distinguished himself by his bravery; and in 117, when Trajan set out on his return to Italy, lie was left behind with the army as governor of the province of Syria. When the intelligence reached Antioch that Trajan had t.1•1 in Cilicia on his journey home, Hadrianus was proclaimed emperor by the army, Aug. 11, 117 A.D. The state of the empire at the time was extremely critical. Insurrections had broken out in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria; Mcesia in the east, and Mauritania in the west, were both invaded by barbarian hordes, while the Parthians had once more asserted their independence, and won several successes over the imperial forces. Ha drianns, perceiving the advantage of a peaceful policy, wisely resolved to limit the boundaries of the Roman dominion of the east, and concluded a peace with the Par thiaus, surrendering to them all the country beyond the Euphrates. In 118 he repaired to Rome (where he had been acknowledged by the senate), established his authority by liberality towards the people, and suppressed with great severity a patrician conspiracy against his life. The Boxolani (modern Russians). who had made an inroad into Mcesia, were induced to retire by large gifts. In the year 119, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the state of the provinces, he commenced his celebrated journey, which he is said to have performed chiefly on foot. He visited Gaul, Germany, Britain (where he built the famous wall extending from the Solway to the Tyne). Spain: Mauritania, Egypt, Asia Minor, and Greece, whence he returned to Rome, 126 or 127 A.D., and received the title of paler patria. Hadrianus spent the years 132 and 133 in
Athens, for which city he had a great predilection. After once more visiting Syria, he returned to Italy, and spent the last years of his life at Rome and Tibur. During the severe illness which carried him off July 10, 138, at Bake, he was subject to violent outbursts of cruelty, to which, as well as to jealousy and pleasure, he was naturally addicted. After the death of Lucius Ceionius Commodes, whom he had adopted under the name of Lucius Alius Verus, he appointed Titus Aurelius (afterwards the emperor Antoninus Pins) his successor. During his reign the army was vigorously disciplined and reorgani'Led, so that the barbarians were not likely to attribute Had•ianus's con ciliating and peaceful policy to fear or weakness. As a civil ruler. he merits high praise, partienla•ly for the just and comprehensive view he appears to have taken of his duties as a sovereign. Hence to him is attributed. more than to any other, the con solidation of the monarchical system of Rome. Hadrianns also divided Italy into four parts under four consuls, to whom was intrusted the administration of justice. Ha drianus erected numerous splendid edifices, the chief of which were—the mausoleum called the "Wes Iladriani, Rome (the groundwork of the modern castle of St. Angelo), the bridge leading to it, and the magnificent villa at Tibur. He like wise laid the foundation of several cities, the most important of which was Adrianopolis, Hadrianus was a lover of the fine arts (in the history of which, as well as of jurisprudence, his reign forms an important era), of poetry, philosophy, and rhetoric, all of which he attempted. lie set a high value on Greek literature, and likewise on the eultus of Greece, and caused himself to be initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries.