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HADRIAN

Ruler of the Roman Empire from 117-138 c.e. and a distant relative of his predecessor, the emperor Trajan. Hadrian succeeded Trajan with few objections since he was popular with the court and he had a letter, allegedly written by Trajan on his deathbed, designating him as heir.

Hadrian was from the province of Spain, like Trajan, and his origins may in part explain the attention he paid throughout his emperorship to provincial administration and improvement. Little expense was spared on public building in the provinces, and much was done to improve frontier fortification and defensive works. Hadrian’s Wall on the boundary of England and Scotland is but one example of the massive fortifications Hadrian undertook. In fact, Hadrian supposedly spent more time in the provinces than in Rome.

Hadrian’s reign witnessed the Bar Kokhba Revolt in Judea (132-135). When the revolt was finally crushed, all Jews were expelled from the province, which ceased to be named Judea and became Syria Palestina. Regarding Christianity, Hadrian maintained Trajan’s policy of tolerance, as evidenced in the emperor’s correspondence (122-123) with Minicius Fundanus, proconsul of Asia.

Bibliography. S. Perowne, Hadrian (1960, repr. London, 1986).

John F. Hall

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

HADRIAN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)