brm_940018 - HADRIAN Denier

HADRIAN

(+10 /07/138)

Posthumus issues

Events precipitated in 138. After the death of Sabine the previous year, it was the turn of Aélius, the adopted son of Hadrian to die at the beginning of the year (January 1). The emperor is sick and misanthropic. He eliminates his brother-in-law and his grand-nephew and purges the Senate before adopting Antonin on February 10, 138. When he dies on July 10, 138, the resentful senators first refuse the deification of their enemy. It will take all the pugnacity of Antoninus to obtain the divine homage for his adoptive father whose ashes are deposited in the cenotaph, which has now become the Castel Sant'Angelo. Antonin, meanwhile, will be awarded the title of "Pius" for his determination and his Piety.