
HADRIAN
Publius Aelius Hadrianus, known in English as Hadrian (24 January 76 – 10 July 138), served as emperor of Rome from AD 117 to 138. He was also a Stoic and Epicurean philosopher. A member of the gens Aelia, Hadrian is recognized as the third of the so-called Five Good Emperors, or the second of the recently proposed Ulpio-Aelian dynasty.
Born in Rome, Hadrian hailed from a well-established family that originated in Picenum, Italy, and later settled in Italica, Hispania Baetica (the republican Hispania Ulterior), near present-day Seville, Spain. His predecessor, Trajan, was a maternal cousin of Hadrian's father. Although Trajan did not officially name a successor, it is said that he designated Hadrian as emperor shortly before his death, according to his wife, Pompeia Plotina, who was favorably inclined towards Hadrian. It is likely that Hadrian's rise to power was influenced by her support.
The belief that Hadrian owed his succession to Plotina was widely accepted. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting that he achieved his position based on his own governance and leadership abilities while Trajan was still alive. For instance, between AD 100 and 108, Trajan publicly demonstrated his favor towards Hadrian by arranging his betrothal to his grandniece, Vibia Sabina, appointing him quaestor Imperatoris, comes Augusti, presenting him with Nerva's diamond as a symbol of hope for succession, proposing him for consul suffectus, and bestowing other gifts and honors. Young Hadrian was the only direct male descendant of Trajan's family line. The backing of Plotina and L. Licinius Sura (who died in AD 108) was, however, crucial for Hadrian during this early period.
hadrians-early-life.