HADRIAN (117-138). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS.
Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: COS III.
Hadrian on horseback right, raising hand.

RIC² 784; Calicó 1218.

Hadrian was born in Italica or Rome in 76 AD to an influential family; his grandfather had been a member of the senate. Having soon been orphaned, Hadrian was entrusted to his cousin Trajan, who acted as his tutor and granted him in marriage one of his great-granddaughters, Sabina, in 100 AD. It was therefore quite natural that on Trajan's death Hadrian should succeed him, although he had never adopted him. In fact at the prince's death the senate received letters from Trajan mentioning Hadrian's adoption, but according to Cassius Dio they were signed by his widow Plotina. Probably Lucius Licinius Sura, his future and greatest general, also made great efforts for Trajan to consider Hadrian's candidacy. Hadrian is remembered as a literate monarch, a lover of Greek letters and neosophistic philosophy. The new emperor had a very different political conception from that of his predecessor, beginning with the renouncing of the expansionism so much desired by Trajan in order to focus more on the defense of imperial borders, as evidenced by the construction of Hadrian's Wall. His reign was also marked by the travels he embarked on between 121 and 132, a way of learning about and expressing respect for every corner of the empire. Indeed, he visited numerous regions and garrisons, reserving special interest for the armies and the discipline of the soldiers. Despite his efforts to avoid any armed conflict, Hadrian had to deal with a Jewish revolt that erupted because he had renamed Jerusalem as the Colonia Aelia Capitolina, after his family name, for having a temple dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus erected there and for forbidding circumcision, a custom he perceived as barbaric, despite not being hostile to Judaism. The revolt was very bloody and led by Simon bar Kochba, who lost his life in the last battle. In internal politics Hadrian gave his best, eliminating unnecessary expenses and undertaking magnificent public works, not only in Rome. He also asked his jurists to collect all edicts that would ensure greater justice for the weaker, but went to the disadvantage of the Senate, which responded with conspiracies. Hadrian managed to escape these attempts and sent all the conspirators to death, earning himself a very bad reputation. For this he publicly apologized and engaged in a series of food concessions to the people, forgave a huge amount of debt, and promised not to use any more violence against the senators. Promise that he did not keep, however, as a result of further conspiracy attempts. In 136 he designated Lucius Aelius Caesar as his successor, but he died two years later. Hadrian, having failed to have children by Sabina, was thus forced to adopt Antoninus Pius, asking him to adopt in turn two other young men, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, son of the late Aelius. He died in 138 after a long and painful illness

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 7.28 g.
Diameter: 20 mm.