Hadrian: Emperor and Artisan

Hadrian served as the Emperor of Rome from 117 138 A.D. He hailed from Picenum, which later would be known as Spain. Hadrian’s father died when he was ten years old and he became the ward of his cousin Trajan. Trajan eventually adopted Hadrian, and upon his death Hadrian assumed the ultimate status of Emperor of Rome. There is some controversy about this fact. It is said that Trajan had selected someone else to succeed him as emperor, not Hadrian. Since Trajan had not formally announced who his successor would be to the Senate, they assumed it would be Hadrian since they had just learned of his adoption by Trajan. It is also stated that Hadrian’s adoption was a trick that was only put into effect after Trajan’s death. Hadrian also had a wife whose name was Sabina. Sabina was the grandniece to Trajan. This marriage was reportedly not a happy one but did link Hadrian and Trajan together as family.

Hadrian was a connoisseur of all the arts, as well as an avid architect and published author. He was known to travel a great bit and spent much of his time in the Greek East. It was this fondness of the Greek arts that swayed his thoughts and impressions. He spent much time devoted to Gre

In Hadrian's day, living in the marshy lowland wasn't considered healthy due to malaria and other fevers. Hadrian spent vast amounts of money to clean up the land and make it livable. Hadrian piped water down from Tivoli using a gravity fed system. He used this water to create beautiful pools, baths, and fountains. Following long established custom, he added fragrant oils to his water system and many pools. By doing this he unknowingly prevented them from becoming breeding areas for mosquitoes.

This estate is the most complete architectural find to have survived since the fall of the Roman Empire. Hadrian spent much time and devotion in the construction of his personal retreat. He, however, did not spend much time there, as he was known to have spent most of his time traveling throughout his lands.

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