Hadrian (117 - 138CE)

Hadrian (August 117 - 10 July 138CE). The emperor Trajan was one of the guardians of Publius Aelius Hadrianus and adopted him as heir immediately before his death. Upon accession to the throne, Hadrian greatly improved the border defenses of the empire and devoted his entire reign to the improvement of the empire. He was one of the most capable and benevolent of the rulers of the Roman Empire, and a great patron of the arts. He is best known as the builder of the great wall. He was the third of the "Five Good Emperors." He died of heart failure at his villa in Baiae. His successor, Antoninus Pius, had him deified in 139 and given a temple.