VITA
de vita eiushis lifeP. Aelius Hadrianus anno LXXVI p.C.n. natus est, Romae aut Italicae in Hispania, unde gens eius oriunda erat. Decem annos natus patre orbatus in tutelam Traiani propinqui venit, in legionibus militavit, Sabinam, sororis Traiani neptem, duxit, tantoque Graecarum litterarum studio fuit ut 'Graeculus' vocaretur. Traiano anno CXVII mortuo successit, adoptione eius in dubium vocata.
Publius Aelius Hadrianus was born in A.D. 76, at Rome or at Italica in Spain, where his family came from. Orphaned at ten, he became the ward of his kinsman Trajan, served with the legions, married Sabina, the granddaughter of Trajan's sister, and loved Greek culture so much that he was called 'the little Greek'. When Trajan died in 117 he succeeded him, though his adoption was questioned.
Provincias trans Euphratem a Traiano quaesitas reliquit et fines imperii tenendos curavit: in Britannia murum, qui nomen eius fert, aedificare coepit (anno CXXII). Per multos annos provincias peragravit et exercitus inspexit, ut allocutio eius ad milites Lambaesi in Africa habita (anno CXXVIII) testatur, urbesque condidit et exornavit. Athenis templum Iovis Olympii absolvit.
He gave up Trajan's conquests beyond the Euphrates and devoted himself to holding the existing frontiers: in Britain he began the Wall that bears his name (122). For years he travelled through the provinces and inspected the armies, as his address to the troops at Lambaesis in Africa (128) records, founding and adorning cities as he went. At Athens he completed the temple of Olympian Zeus.
Romae Pantheum refecit, Agrippae inscriptione servata, templum Veneris et Romae ipse designavit, mausoleum et villam Tiburtinam aedificavit. Edictum praetoris perpetuum fieri curavit. Defectio Iudaeorum, duce Bar Kochba (annis CXXXII–CXXXV), magna strage oppressa est. Baiis anno CXXXVIII mortuus est, cum versiculos ad animulam suam scripsisset.
In Rome he rebuilt the Pantheon, keeping Agrippa's inscription, designed the temple of Venus and Rome himself, and built his mausoleum and the villa at Tibur. He had the praetor's edict fixed in permanent form. The Jewish revolt led by Bar Kokhba (132–135) was crushed with great loss of life. He died at Baiae in 138, after writing a few lines to his little soul.
TEMPORA
res gestaetimeline- 76 p.C.n.A.D. 76Nascitur.Born.
- 117 p.C.n.A.D. 117Traiano succedit.Succeeds Trajan.
- 121–125 p.C.n.A.D. 121–125Iter primum per provincias occidentis et orientis.First great journey through the western and eastern provinces.
- 122 p.C.n.A.D. 122Murus in Britannia incohatur.The Wall in Britain is begun.
- 128 p.C.n.A.D. 128Exercitum Africae Lambaesi alloquitur.Addresses the army of Africa at Lambaesis.
- 132–135 p.C.n.A.D. 132–135Defectio Iudaeorum opprimitur.The Jewish revolt is crushed.
- 138 p.C.n.A.D. 138Baiis moritur.Dies at Baiae.
SENTENTIAE
verba ipsiusin his own wordsAnimula vagula blandula, hospes comesque corporis, quae nunc abibis in loca pallidula rigida nudula, nec ut soles dabis iocos.
Little soul, wandering, gentle, guest and companion of the body, now you will go to pale, stiff, naked places, and will not jest as you used to.
Hadrian ap. SHA Hadr. 25.9
Difficile est cohortales equites etiam per se placere, difficilius post alarem exercitationem non displicere.
It is hard for cohort cavalry to please even on their own, harder still not to displease after the exercise of an ala.
Hadrian, Allocutio Lambaesitana (CIL VIII 18042)
Adeptus imperium ad priscum se statim morem instituit et tenendae per orbem terrarum paci operam intendit.
On gaining power he at once returned to the old ways and devoted himself to keeping peace throughout the world.
SHA Hadr. 5.1 (of Hadrian)
SCRIPTA IN ACTISHIS PIECES IN THE ACTA
—Nondum in Actis scripsit — mox scribet.He has not written for the Acta yet — his turn is coming.