The Roman emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus or better known as Hadrian lived from 76-138 A.D. He was born an orphan in Spain and later adopted by his uncle Trajan. Texts describe him as a tall, elegant man who was very handsome and likeable as well as possessing natural qualities of charm and grace. Trajan's wife Pompeia Plotina recommended Hadrian as heir to Trajan, and He was married to Trajan's grandniece Sabina. Him and his …showed first 75 words of 639 total…

…showed last 75 words of 639 total…of Baiae on 10 July AD 138. Even though Hadrian been a brilliant administrator and had provided the empire with a period of stability and relative peace for 20 years, he died a very unpopular man. He had been cultured, devoted to religion, law, the arts - all qualities of a loveable emperor. Yet, he also had a dark side of him which was cruel, unpredictable and headstrong. So he was feared. And feared men are rarely popular.