Read complete books and articles on: Hadrian

Hadrian - hāˈdrēən, a.d. 76–138, Roman emperor (117–138), b. Spain. His name in full was Publius Aelius Hadrianus. An orphan, he became the ward of Trajan. Hadrian distinguished himself as a commander (especially in Dacia) and as an administrator. Nevertheless, Trajan's choice, announced after his death, of Hadrian as his successor, caused some discontent in Rome. Hadrian's reign was vigorous and judicious. He proved his military skill in pacifying (118) Moesia. Abandoning the aggressive policy of Trajan in Asia, he withdrew to the boundary of the Euphrates. In Palestine, however, he proved himself ruthless. His Romanizing policy aroused opposition, especially when he excluded the Jews from Jerusalem. He put down (a.d. 132) the insurrection of Bar Kokba with great severity; the ensuing war (132–135) was the most difficult of his reign. In Rome he was generous in offering circuses and in giving alms to the poor, and he enlarged and reformed the civil service. He traveled extensively in the empire, interesting himself in all the local affairs of state and adorning the provincial cities. In Germany he built great protective walls, and in Britain (where he had visited c.121) he had Hadrian's Wall built. He carried out his plan of building a temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the site of the ruined Temple at Jerusalem and renamed Jerusalem Colonia Aelia Capitolina. He built the Arch of Hadrian in Athens, and in Rome he rebuilt the Pantheon, added to the Roman Forum, and erected a mausoleum (now Castel Sant'Angelo). His last years were spent more or less quietly in Rome and in his villa at Tibur (which has been excavated), cultivating the arts. He was learned in Greek and was accomplished in poetry and music. He patronized artists, and his regard for the young Antinoüs was imperishably recorded by sculptors and architects. As his successor he chose Antoninus Pius.

See M. Yourcenar, Memoirs of Hadrian (1984); S. Perowine, Hadrian (1987); M. T. Boatwright, Hadrian and the City of Rome (1989).

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10 of the Best Books and Articles on: Hadrian

as selected by Questia librarians

1.

The Life and Principate of the Emperor Hadrian, A.D. 76-138 » Read Now
by Bernard W. Henderson. 306 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

...HADRIAN -ii- HADRIAN A BUST IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM from Hadrians Villa near Tivoli THE LIFE AND PRINCIPATE OF THE EMPEROR HADRIAN A. D. 76-138 BY BERNARD W. HENDERSON M.A....
2.

The Jews of Egypt: From Rameses II to Emperor Hadrian » Read Now
by Robert Cornman, Joseph Mélèze Modrzejewski. 282 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

Professor Joseph Meleze Modrzejewski, a papyrologist as well as a historian, uses the clear light of scientific analysis to illuminate the reality underlying our image of the past. The biblical account and Jewish and pagan literary texts are juxtaposed with the discoveries of a century of...
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Professor Joseph Meleze Modrzejewski, a papyrologist as well as a historian, uses the clear light of scientific analysis to illuminate the reality underlying our image of the past. The biblical account and Jewish and pagan literary texts are juxtaposed with the discoveries of a century of archaeological and papyrological research that unearthed the edicts of emperors as well as the humble correspondence of common people, inscriptions on shells in Aramaic and on tombstones in Greek. The author comments when necessary but, for the most part, lets the documents speak for themselves. In a tantalizing epilogue, Modrzejewski takes a long, probing, and provocative look at a turning point in Western civilization: the brief but crucial episode when budding Christianity and the Alexandrian Jews parted company.
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3.

Greek Apologists of the Second Century (Chap. 4 "The Reign of Hadrian") » Read Now
by Robert M. Grant. 254 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library
4.

Who's Who in the Roman World (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 129) » Read Now
by John Hazel. 372 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

Who's Who in the Roman World is a wide-ranging biographical survey of one of the greatest civilizations in history. Covering a period from the 5th century BC to AD 364, this is an authoritative and hugely enjoyable guide to an era which continues to fascinate today. The figures included come from...
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Who's Who in the Roman World is a wide-ranging biographical survey of one of the greatest civilizations in history. Covering a period from the 5th century BC to AD 364, this is an authoritative and hugely enjoyable guide to an era which continues to fascinate today. The figures included come from all walks of Roman life and include some of history's most famous - not to mention infamous - figures as well as hitherto little-known, but no less fascinating, characters. These include :* the notorious emperors - Caligula; Nero; Elagabalus; Commodus* the great poets, philosophers and historians - Virgil; Tacitus; Seneca; Ovid* the brilliant politicians and soldiers - Hannibal; Scipio; Caesar; Mark Antony; Constantine* noteworthy citizens - Acte, mistress of Nero; Catiline, the revolutionary; Spartacus, champion of the slaves; Gaius Verres, the corrupt governor of Sicily.The inclusion of cross-referencing, a glossary of terms, select bibliographies, maps, genealogies and an author's preface complete what is at once a superb reference resource and an enormously entertaining read.
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5.

Roman Britain and the English Settlements (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 128) » Read Now
by R. G. F. B. A. Collingwood, J. N. L. Myres. 515 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

...127 The accession of Hadrian 128 His work in Britain...German frontiers 130 Hadrians Wall 131 The Vallum and...IX. THE FRONTIER AFTER HADRIAN The Antonine Wall 140...
6.

Egypt, Greece, and Rome: Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 418) » Read Now
by Charles Freeman. 638 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

Long sources of mystery, imagination, and inspiration, the myths and history of the ancient Mediterranean have given rise to artistic, religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions that span the centuries. In this unique and comprehensive introduction to the region's three major civilizations...
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Long sources of mystery, imagination, and inspiration, the myths and history of the ancient Mediterranean have given rise to artistic, religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions that span the centuries. In this unique and comprehensive introduction to the region's three major civilizations, Egypt, Greece, and Rome draws a fascinating picture of the deep links between the cultures across the Mediterranean and explores the ways in which these civilizations continue to be influential to this day. Beginning with the emergence of the earliest Egyptian civilization around 3500 BC, Charles Freeman follows the history of the Mediterranean over a span of four millennia to AD 600, beyond the fall of the Roman empire in the west to the emergence of the Byzantine empire in the east. In addition to the three great civilizations, the peoples of the Ancient Near East and other lesser-known cultures such as the Etruscans, Celts, Persians, and Phoenicians are explored. The author examines the art, architecture, philosophy, literature, and religious practices of each culture, set against its social, political, and economic background. More than an overview of the primary political or military events, Egypt, Greece, and Rome pays particular attention to the actual lives of both the everyday person and the aristocracy: here is history brought to life. Especially striking are the readable and stimulating profiles of key individuals throughout the ancient world, covering persons from Homer to Horace, the Pharaoh Akhenaten to the emperor Augustus, Alexander the Great to Julius Caesar, Jesus to Justinian, and Aristotle to Augustine. Generously illustrated in both color and black-and-white, and drawing on the most up-to-date scholarship, Egypt, Greece and Rome is a superb introduction for anyone seeking a better understanding of the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and their legacy to the West.
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7.

The Roman World, 44 BC-AD 180 (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 69) » Read Now
by Martin Goodman. 380 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

Examining the Roman world from an unusual and illuminating angle, this volume explores the central period of the Roman empire from Julius Caesar to Marcus Aurelius.Martin Goodman focuses on the perspective of its peoples and its fringe areas, rather than from the Emperor's household, giving a...
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Examining the Roman world from an unusual and illuminating angle, this volume explores the central period of the Roman empire from Julius Caesar to Marcus Aurelius.Martin Goodman focuses on the perspective of its peoples and its fringe areas, rather than from the Emperor's household, giving a balanced view of the Roman world in its entirety.Goodman outlines and discusses the major aspects of Roman rule and culture, as well as the marginal; the city state of Rome, politics, social and civic life and religion. The Roman World 44 BC - AD 180 offers a stimulating and provocative addition to the study of the Roman world in this period, which will be of vital interest to anyone concerned with the origins of Western civilization.
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8.

Britannia: The Roman Conquest and Occupation of Britain (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 154) » Read Now
by George Welch Patrick. 284 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

...reform was not met until the Emperor Hadrian in the early years of the second century...scholars of the law, men like Julianus of Hadrians time, later Gaius, and in the...
9.

The Romans: From Village to Empire (Discussion of Hadrian begins on p. 373) » Read Now
by Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel J. Gargola, Richard J. A. Talbert. 516 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

How did a single village community in the Italian peninsula eventually become one of the mightiest imperial powers the world has ever known? In The Romans, Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel Gargola, and Richard J.A. Talbert tackle this question as they guide readers through a comprehensive sweep of Roman...
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How did a single village community in the Italian peninsula eventually become one of the mightiest imperial powers the world has ever known? In The Romans, Mary T. Boatwright, Daniel Gargola, and Richard J.A. Talbert tackle this question as they guide readers through a comprehensive sweep of Roman history, ranging from the prehistoric settlements to the age of Constantine. Vividly written and attractively designed with almost 100 illustrations, The Romans expertly unfolds Rome's remarkable evolution from village, to monarchy and then republic, and finally to one-man rule by an emperor whose power at its peak stretched from Scotland to Iraq and the Nile Valley. Firmly grounded in ancient literary and material sources, the book captures and analyzes the outstanding political and military landmarks--from the Punic Wars, to Caesar's conquest of Gaul and his crossing of the Rubicon, to the victory of Octavian over Mark Antony, to Constantine's adoption of Christianity. Here too are some of the most fascinating individuals ever to walk across the world stage, including Hannibal, Mithridates, Pompey, Cicero, Cleopatra, Augustus, Livia, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, and Shapur. The authors bring to life many aspects of Rome's cultural and social history, from the role of women, to literature, entertainments, town-planning, portraiture, and religion. The book incorporates more than 30 maps, mostly produced by the Ancient World Mapping Center; in addition, 22 boxes interspersed throughout feature varied excerpts of writings by Romans themselves. Rome's story is one of history's most remarkable chronicles. The Romans gives marvelous fresh insight into a people's truly monumental achievement--their ambition, glory, and suffering.
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10.

Roman Architecture (Chap. 8 "Trajan and Hadrian") » Read Now
by Frank Sear. 288 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

In this comprehensive, accessible and beautifully illustrated book, Frank Sear traces the evolution of Roman architecture during the four centuries from the late Republic to AD 330, when Constantine moved the empire's capital to Constantinople.With over 200 diagrams, maps and photos, this lucid and...
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In this comprehensive, accessible and beautifully illustrated book, Frank Sear traces the evolution of Roman architecture during the four centuries from the late Republic to AD 330, when Constantine moved the empire's capital to Constantinople.With over 200 diagrams, maps and photos, this lucid and eminently readable account is a detailed overview of the development of architecture from Augustine to Constantine.Covering building techniques and materials as well as architecture and patronage, features include:* deployment of the most recent archaeological evidence* consideration of building materials and methods used by Roman engineers and architects* examination of stylistic innovations* analysis of the historical and cultural contexts of Roman architecture* detailed exploration of key Roman sites including Ostia and Pompeii.In high demand since its initial publication, this book will not disappoint in its purpose to educate and delight those in the field of Roman architecture.
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