Hadrian, 117-138

Hadrian (Latin: Publius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus; 24 January, 76 AD – 10 July, 138 AD) was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. Hadrian is known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Britannia. He also rebuilt the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. Philhellene in most of his tastes, he is considered by some to have been a humanist, and he is regarded as one of the Five Good Emperors.

Hadrian was born Publius Aelius Hadrianus into a Hispano-Roman family. His predecessor, Trajan, was a maternal cousin of Hadrian's father. Trajan did not officially designate an heir, but according to his wife Pompeia Plotina, Trajan named Hadrian emperor immediately before his death.

During his reign, Hadrian travelled to nearly every province of the Empire. An ardent admirer of Greece, he sought to make Athens the cultural capital of the Empire and ordered the construction of many opulent temples in the city. He spent extensive amounts of time with the military; he usually wore military attire and even dined and slept amongst the soldiers. He ordered military training and drilling to be more rigorous and even made use of false reports of attack to keep the army alert.

Even a close study of the coins of Hadrian discloses few traces of multiplicity of mints. It is remarkable that Hadrian, that great traveller ans enthusiast for the provinces, should have been so chary with this provincial issues. His coins - mostly denarii - feature gods and godesses like Mars, Minerva and Roma as well as personifications like Condordia, Felicitas and Pax.