v08_0213 - ADRIANO Sesterce (GB, Æ 31)

HADRIAN

(08/11/117-07/10/138)

Hadrian was born in 76 in Italica. Pupil of Trajan, he married in 100 Sabine, grand-niece of the emperor, and made a career in the staff of the latter, in particular during the Dacian campaign. In 117, he succeeded Trajan, and traveled for twenty years, visiting the entire empire - the only Emperor to have lent himself to this exercise. In 122, Hadrian went to Spain. Childless, he first chose Aélius to succeed him in 136, but the latter died on January 1, 138. Hadrian then adopted Antonin on February 25 and himself chose Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as Antoninus' heirs. He died on July 10, 138.