Received today from Spain, a colourfull Dupondius for 40 euro. Hadrian came from Antioch where he was declared the new Augustus by the army in 117 AD, after the death of emperor Trajanus. Trajan's wife empress Plotina declared for the senate that it was Trajan's wish, Hadrian would succeed him as emperor.hmm. the 4 senators who didn't agree were executed on Hadrian's orders.
Why do you @Andres2 say "hmmmm" about Trajan's Empress recommending Hadrian to succeed Trajan? Some say Trajan signed papers to adopt Hadrian before he died and others say that Trajan's Empress forged a change in his will to name Hadrian his successor. But do you suspect something else? Something....more untoward, perhaps? Nice coin!
@Cointessa, Its clear Plotina wanted Hadrian to succeed Trajan , if she forged Trajan's will is unclear, but she did sign it (alone) I think Sabina played an important roll , Plotina was the matchmaker in Hadrian's and Sabina's marriage in 100 AD. Sabina was raised by Plotina as her own daughter , she had no children of her own. In hindsight Hadrian was an excellent successor ,thanks to a smart lady named Plotina.
Thanks @Andres2 for your answer. That was pretty much my take on Hadrian and Empress Plotina, too. What I did not know and was wondering about was that Plotina reared Sabina! I did read, however, that Sabina and Hadrian did not seem to have the happiest of marriages. I read that she was "ill-tempered" but then I also read that she was "long-suffering" which tends to suggest that she was putting up with a husband who could have been better in some way. I wonder what she was all 'long-suffering' about? I really enjoy reading about the family dynamics of these rulers.
Good ol' Plotina! Plotina, wife of Trajan, Augusta c. AD 105-122 Roman provincial Æ 20.0 mm, 5.43 g Caria, Tabae, AD 105-122 Obv: ΠΛΩΤЄΙΝ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, diademed and draped bust, right, hair in plait behind Rev: ΤΑΒΗΝΩΝ, stag standing right Refs: RPC III 2292; BMC Caria p. 170, no. 79; SNG von Aulock 2720; Robert 143.
She purportedly had an affair with the "historian" Seutonius, and one can't rightly hold it against her when Hadrian preferred the company of his favorite boy-toy Antinous, among others.
Yes! His sweetie was Antinous, shown here on this provincial from Adramyteum in Mysia. The coin is in the British Museum collection.
