Hadrian and the City of Rome

How Hadrian left an enduring mark on the architecture and urban topography of ancient Rome

The Pantheon, the Temple of Venus and Roma, Hadrian’s Mausoleum transformed into Castel Sant’Angelo, and his villa at Tivoli epitomize for many the power and resources of Rome at its zenith. Because other urban changes during Hadrian’s principate (A.D. 117–138) left less visible traces, however, few people realize how powerfully he transformed the capital city not only by erecting these and other monumental edifices but also by renovating buildings, even entire districts, and by reorganizing the building industry and neighborhood life. Mary Taliaferro Boatwright compiles and assesses the varied evidence for Hadrian’s buildings and his administrative changes and evaluates his effect on the capital city in a topographical and historical context. A comprehensive catalogue follows the illustrated text.