Pictures of Places Along Hadrian's Wall

Emperor Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus) was born on January 24, 76 A.D. He died on July 10, 138, having been emperor since 117. He succeeded the very popular Emperor Trajan who may or may not have named his nephew (in our terms, cousin once-removed) to succeed him. The succession remains a mystery. As emperor, Hadrian discontinued Emperor Trajan's expansionist policy; instead, Hadrian tried to consolidate the Roman Empire. He spent most of his time traveling, visiting the provinces. Hadrian was not a popular ruler. Since he had no son to succeed him, Hadrian adopted and appointed as successor the man known as Antoninus Pius, probably because of his filial piety in persuading the Senate to deify the late emperor, contrary to their inclination. Before the adoption, Antoninus Pius (Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus) had been obliged to adopt as his heirs Hadrian's nephew Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.

Hadrian is best remembered for a wall named after him: Hadrian's Wall.