Upon his return to Rome (see previous post here), Hadrian's first task was to regain the people's favour after the killing of four ex-consuls who were accused of plotting against him. To boost his popularity and win public opinion in Rome, the new princeps introduced a number of important financial reforms, including distributing largesses and remitting debts. Hadrian's… Continue reading The early reforms and economic policies of Hadrian (#Hadrian1900)
After a long journey travelling from Antioch, through Asia Minor and the Danube provinces, Hadrian finally arrived in Rome on 9 July AD 118, almost a year after his accession to the throne following the death of Trajan in Cilicia. His arrival (adventus) in the capital was celebrated by the Arval Brethren with solemn sacrifices… Continue reading 9 July AD 118 – Hadrian enters Rome (#Hadrian1900)
In the context of "The Unseen Museum" rotating-object programme and the temporary exhibition Hadrian and Athens Conversing with an Ideal World, currently on display in Gallery 31a of the Sculpture Collection, the Archaeological Museum of Athens brought to light two unique artefacts from its storerooms. Fifteen selected antiquities had already been displayed, and this time,… Continue reading Exhibition: ‘Hadrian and Antinous: an encounter, 19 centuries later’ at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens (#Hadrian1900)
After suppressing the uprisings in Moesia Inferior (see post here), Hadrian quickly inspected the military bases along the lower and middle Danube frontier. As the governor of the province of Pannonia Inferior in AD 106, the new emperor was already familiar with the area. During his time in Pannonia Inferior, he had taken command of… Continue reading Late spring AD 118 – Hadrian inspects his troops along the Danube Limes (#Hadrian1900)
Soon after the accession of Hadrian, a number of important cities sent congratulatory embassies to the new princeps by which they expressed their warm wishes and asked confirmation of the privileges bestowed to them by Trajan. One such embassy, sent from Hierapolis towards the end of AD 117, returned with a letter from the emperor.… Continue reading AD 118 – Hadrian sends letters of reply to Astypalaea and Delphi (#Hadrian1900)
In the early spring of AD 118, Hadrian reached the Danubian province of Lower Moesia (present-day Dobrudja in Romania). This territory, located between the lower Danube River and the Black Sea, was established as the province of Moesia in the last years of Augustus' reign and later separated into two parts (Upper and Lower Moesia)… Continue reading Early spring AD 118 – Hadrian conducts negotiations with the king of the Roxolani in Moesia Inferior (#Hadrian1900)
An exhibition entitled 'Hadrian, Saviour and Builder' is currently being held at the newly restored Fethiye Mosque in Athens’ Roman Agora. The exhibition, which opened last January, is being organized by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens. In the autumn of 2010, the Ministry of Culture ordered the emptying of the various antiquities stored inside… Continue reading Exhibition: ‘Hadrian, Saviour and Builder’ at the Fethiye Mosque in Athens (#Hadrian1900)
The Archaeological Museum of Seville is currently hosting an exhibition to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian's accession to the imperial throne. In AD 117, Hadrian inherited control of the Roman Empire from Trajan, who had been his guardian and named him his successor. The families of both men came from Spain, from the Baetican… Continue reading Exhibition: ‘Hadrian Metamorphosis: The birth of a new Rome’ in Seville (#Hadrian1900)
On 28 January AD 118, four days after his 42nd birthday, Hadrian celebrated the 20th anniversary of Trajan's accession, the first since the emperor's death at Selinus five months earlier. Festivities took place throughout the empire as Roman citizens remembered the Optimus Princeps as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the greatest military expansion in… Continue reading 28 January AD 118 – Hadrian celebrates the 20th anniversary of Trajan’s accession (#Hadrian1900)
Happy 1942nd birthday, Hadrian! I decided to cook Cato's Globi (Pastry Balls) as Hadrian's birthday cake this year. 🎂 Globi (original recipe from LacusCurtius): Mix the cheese and spelt in the same way (as Libum), sufficient to make the number desired. Pour lard into a hot copper vessel, and fry one or two at a… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Hadriane! 🎂
