This genuine Ancient Roman silver coin has
been
set in a modern 18 karat gold ring.
Publius Aelius Hadrianus, better known as
Hadrian, was born in Spain in 76 AD and
died in
138 AD. He ruled the Roman Empire from
117 to
138, during which time the Empire reached
its
apotheosis. Being the third of the so called
Five
Good Emperors, his rule was characterised
by
comparatively humanitarianism and
conservatism. Following a political career
of
some distinction – he served as prefect,
legate,
consul, tribune and senator – it was his
expedition to Parthia with Trajan led to his
greatest success; Trajan became seriously
ill and
died on the way back to Rome, naming
Hadrian
as successor. Hadrian purged the senate of
opposition upon his return to Rome, and
set
about a somewhat conservative reign that
involved strengthening the empire’s
boundaries
and the surrender of indefensible areas (i.e.
Mesopotamia). He was known more for rule
by
threat and strength than active military
conquest.
Personally, he was well educated and fond
of the
great Greek writers and philosophers, and
was
even appointed Archon in Athens. He was a
great
patron of the arts, including landscaping
and
architecture: under his reign the Pantheon
was
rebuilt, as well as many libraries,
aqueducts,
libraries and theatres. He was also a keen
poet,
an Epicurean philosopher and a huntsman,
commissioning various reliefs showing him
killing bears, lions etc. He is also notable
for
introducing the socially-acceptable beard –
all
other emperors before him had been clean
shaven. The great love of his life was a boy
named Antinous, which may explain the
lack of
natural heirs to Hadrian’s lineage. Antinous
drowned in the Nile aged about 19; the
mourning Hadrian had him deified.
