Hadrian: Roman Emperor, Reign, and Legacy

Hadrian, officially known as Imperator Caesar Divi filius Traiani Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after deification, was emperor of the Roman Empire of the Ulpius-Aelia dynasty and the third of the Five Good Emperors. During his reign, the empire reached its greatest territorial extent. Hadrian's interests were highlighted by philosophy.

Born in Rome into a wealthy family hailing from Piceno (Italy) and established in the late third century C. near modern Seville, he was a second nephew by Trajan's maternal line. Trajan, though never publicly naming him his heir, gave several examples of preference during his reign and, according to the statement by his wife, Pompeia Plotina, declared him as such moments before dying. Although it is possible that he owed the throne above all to Plotina, his possible successor was being marked by himself during his reign. Thus, in the period between, he was given the hand of Vibia Sabina and was appointed quaestor Imperatoris comes Augusti, given the diamond of Nerva as 'hope of succession,' and recommended him as consul suffect, in addition to other honors.

Although descended from Trajan, Plotina's support was instrumental in his rise to the throne. His relations with the Senate were not good, maybe due to the fact that Hadrian, unlike many previous emperors, only wished to play the ordinary consulate twice, both consecutive and at the beginning of his reign. In the first half of 118, he took as colleague his nephew, Gnaeus Pedanio barcinonense Salinator Fusco, and in the first quarter of 119 with Publius Dasumio Rustic, another possible relative, this time from the Italic Dasumii.

The administrative reforms carried out during his reign met with opposition from senators. The emperor modernized the state administrative system, ascending experts and technocrats, which meant that many sections of administration remained in the hands of these officials. Because of this, the elite and aristocratic senatorial influence was reduced.