Hadrian (real name Publius Aelius Hadrianus) was the fourteenth in the series of Roman emperors. He was born in 76 at Rome and died in 138. His father, who was cousin to the emperor Trajan, died when he was ten years old, and left him under the charge of his illustriouskinsman. He married Sabina, Trajan's grand-niece, accompanied the emperor on his expeditions, filled the highest offices of state, and, on the death of Trajan, assumed the government as his adopted son in 117. He made peace with the Parthians, renouncing all conquests east of the Euphrates, and bought off a war with the Roxolani by payment of a sum of money.
From the year 121 he spent most of his time in visiting the various provinces of the empire. Hadrian's policy was a peaceful one, because he saw that the further extension of the empire only weakened it. Although avoiding war as much as he could, he kept the armies in excellent condition, fortified the frontiers in Germany, and, crossing over into Britain, constructed the wall known as Hadrian's Wall (or that of Severus), which protected the Roman province from the barbarous tribes of the north. He next travelled into Asia and Africa, and lived in Athens for three years. In 131 he promulgated the Edictum Perpetuum, a fixed code of laws, which forms an important epoch in the development of Roman law. In 132 the Jews revolted, and for four years carried on a bloody war, the only notable one of his long reign. Research Hadrian
Hadrian's Wall was built to prevent the irruptions of the Scots and Picts into the northern counties of England, then under the Roman government. It extended from the Tyne to the SolwayFirth and was eighty miles long, twelve feet high, eight feet thick and supplied with watchtowers. It was built in 121 and repaired and strengthened between 207 and 210. Research Hadrian's Wall
Carlisle is a city in Cumbria, England. A settlement was first formed here before the birth of Christ, the name being derived from the Celtic word 'Caer', meaning fort. The Romans established a military base here in the 1st century called 'Luguvalium', and there followed a period of prosperity and luxurious living until the 9th century, when the town was devastated by invading Danes. Carlisle Castle was originally a Norman castle made of wood, but was rebuilt using stone taken from Hadrian's Wall. Carlisle Cathedral was founded in 1122 as a Norman Priory for Augustinian canons. The Citadel was built in 1541 during the troubles between Scotland and England as an additional fortification and marks the gateway to the city.
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