Hello, and welcome to the history of Rome.

Episode 82, Hadrian's Walls

When Hadrian ascended to the throne in 117 AD, the Roman Empire was actually in a more

precarious position than is often remembered.

Though Trajan had taken the Empire to its greatest territorial extent and been a shining example

of enlightened despotism, rips in the imperial fabric had begun to show up across the Mediterranean.

We have already seen that the conquest of Mesopotamia was a name only as the entire region was

either preparing for or already engaged in, uprisings against the Roman occupation.

A revolt in Dacia necessitated the transfer of the capable governor of Syria to the troubled

new province, a transfer recall, that opened the spot for Hadrian up.

And shortly thereafter, tribal elements in northern Britain began to violently strike

at their imperial masters.

But more destructive than any of these frontier revolts was an uprising that I have only

mentioned in passing thus far that deserves far more attention, for the shocking violence

that defined it yes, but also for the reactionary attitude it couldn't have helped but imprint

on the new emperor.

A reactionary attitude that would come back to haunt Hadrian later in his reign.

I am talking of course about the second Jewish war.

I mentioned the revolt in passing while talking about Trajan's troubled supply lines during

the last phase of his Middle Eastern campaign, but really issues with Trajan's supply lines

is the real passing issue.

The revolt itself is the thing.

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