Emperor Hadrian Securing power
Hadrian swiftly garnered the allegiance of the legions— one possible adversary, Lusius Quietus, was promptly dismissed. The Senate's approval ensued when allegedly forged adoption documents from Trajan were submitted (despite him having been Trajan's ward). The speculation surrounding the forged adoption document held minimal significance — Hadrian's legitimacy stemmed from the Senate's endorsement and the support of the Syrian armies.
Initially, Hadrian did not travel to Rome — he was occupied with stabilizing the East and quelling the Jewish uprising that had erupted during Trajan's reign, subsequently addressing issues along the Danube frontier. In his absence, Attianus, Hadrian's former guardian, was appointed to oversee affairs in Rome.
Emperor Hadrian solidified his authority by first gaining the troops' acclaim following Trajan's demise, which he subsequently presented to the Senate as a fait accompli.
He rewarded the legions, arranged for the deification of Trajan by the gods, and later his own elevation to power, while addressing potential rivals by executing four notable individuals.
Additionally, he reinforced his dominance by quelling the Jewish revolt, managing disturbances along the Danube frontier, and shifting policy from expansion to the consolidation and enhancement of borders.
Initial Acclamation and Senate Approval
Troop Acclamation
: After Trajan's passing, the legions in the East swiftly acclaimed Hadrian as their emperor.
Fait Accompli
: Hadrian communicated his accession to the Senate through a letter, portraying the troops' actions as a necessary measure due to the belief that the state could not function without an emperor.
Senate Endorsement
: Hadrian granted the customary bonus to the troops for their loyalty, and the Senate, confronted with this situation, officially ratified the acclamation.
Consolidating Power
Eliminating Rivals
: Hadrian removed potential claimants to the throne by orchestrating the execution of four prominent figures, although the precise motivations remain somewhat unclear.
Suppression of the Jewish Revolt
: He also addressed the Jewish revolt that had erupted during Trajan's reign, suppressing it and renaming Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina.
Securing Borders
: Hadrian transitioned from his predecessor's expansionist approach to one focused on consolidation and defense, which included the construction of Hadrian's Wall in Britain to secure the north-western frontier.
Strengthening Control
: He traveled extensively across the Empire, enhancing its infrastructure and solidifying Roman authority over its extensive territories, thereby further reinforcing his power.
Hadrian established his role as Roman Emperor through a dubious adoption and a rapid, ruthless elimination of his competitors, followed by efforts to strengthen his power via military reforms, imperial journeys, and public policy.
Immediate actions to secure the throne
Controversial adoption: The events surrounding Hadrian's rise to power in 117 CE were questionable. Although it was claimed that Hadrian was adopted by Emperor Trajan on his deathbed, some accounts indicate that the adoption documents were forged by Trajan's wife, Plotina, who was a known advocate for Hadrian. At the time, Hadrian was in Syria, which was an irregularity according to Roman adoption laws.
Execution of rivals: To remove any potential threats to his authority, Hadrian ordered the execution of four high-ranking senators shortly after assuming power. They were found guilty in absentia for allegedly conspiring against him, although the executions were likely a strategic decision to eliminate dangers to his rule. This action fostered deep and enduring animosity with the Senate.
Military consolidation: Hadrian ensured the army's loyalty by granting them a double bonus. He also promptly renounced Trajan's expensive and overextended campaigns in Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Armenia, and negotiated a peace agreement with Parthia, indicating a policy shift from expansion to consolidation.
Long-term strategies for power consolidation
Cementing military support: Hadrian gained the favor of the legions by personally engaging in rigorous and frequent training sessions. He dined, marched, and lived alongside the common soldiers, thereby earning their trust and enhancing discipline.
Building projects to define borders: To secure the empire's existing territories, Hadrian initiated numerous public works projects, most notably Hadrian's Wall in northern Britannia. These initiatives provided the army with a constructive role during peacetime and publicly showcased the new policy of fortifying, rather than expanding, the empire's borders.
Imperial tours and administrative reform: Throughout most of his reign, Hadrian traveled extensively across the provinces.
Direct intervention: He managed construction projects, negotiated peace treaties, and quelled rebellions, enabling him to circumvent the Senate and assert his personal authority.
Public image: He portrayed himself as an accessible, proactive leader to his subjects, nurturing direct loyalty to the emperor.
Centralized control: His journeys permitted him to evaluate the empire's administration directly and tackle issues that could potentially lead to unrest.
Cultivating public goodwill: In an effort to mitigate the Senate's hostility and win the favor of the populace, Hadrian implemented generous public policies. This included the cancellation of numerous private citizens' debts to the state, financing public games, and enhancing social programs for underprivileged children.
Suppression of revolts: Although primarily a peacetime ruler, Hadrian was resolute in quelling opposition. The most notable instance was his harsh and thorough response to the Bar Kokhba revolt in Judaea (132–136 CE), which entailed suppressing Jewish religious practices and exiling the population to eliminate Jewish nationalism in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment