Hadrian was the cousin of Trajan with whom he had a rocky love-hate
relationship. However, his relationship with Trajan turned out to be less
consequential to his own rise to becoming emperor. It is widely thought that
Trajan himself never actually selected Hadrian as his successor but his powerful
aunt, who was very fond of Hadrian and took the role of surrogate mother, forged
documents to the effect when Trajan was on his deathbed. Hadrian is remembered
chiefly by his active role in the military, by the prolific building of all
sorts of city and military improvements, by being a shrewd economic strategist
as well as for his infamous homosexual relationship with a boy named Antinous.
Obv-IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG laureate bust right.
Rev-No Legend Figure standing left.
Obv-IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG PM TR P COS III Radiate bust right.
Rev-AETERNITAS AVGVSTI Aetermitas standing facing, holding the heads of the sun and moon.
Obv-IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG PM TR P COS III Radiate bust right.
Rev-PIETAS AVGVSTI SC Pietas standing right, sacrificing over alter.
