Customer Reviews

Hadrian and the Cities of the Roman Empire

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This is a very academic book, but readable. Hadrian spent most of his 20 or so years as emperor out and about in the provinces. Boatwright does a very good job emphasizing the importance of Hadrian's reign and the impact he had in the cities scattered around the Roman Empire. Everywhere Hadrian went he commissioned works. These were in the form of roads, basilicas, arches, forums, columns, and estates. Subsequently it seems everywhere you go to see Roman ruins to this day you see some remnants of Hadrian. Hadrian completely transformed the Roman city. Boatwright does a good job explaining this in chapters titled "Changes of City Status and Their Impact on City Life" and "City Foundations New and Renewed." She uses footnotes instead of endnotes and this book is very well documented with a terrific bibliography. Hadrian was well-liked in the provinces and all of his contributions live-on to this day. This book is not a biography of the man, but a survey of his contributions to the provinces and how he had a permanent affect on the people and places in the empire. For a good biography read Birley's Hadrian: The Restless Emperor. Boatwright's book is a good supplement to Birley's biography.

This book greatly elucidates emperor Hadrian's benefactions to the cities in the Roman Empire. Mary Boatwright has expertly researched Hadrian's paternalism towards the cities; however, she argues that Hadrian wanted the cities to remain loyal to Roman institutions. The author also recognizes the Greco-Roman syncretic cultural aspects prevalent during Hadrian's reign as emperor. Lastly, an excellent survey of Roman urbanization and cultural legacy. The maps, tables, and illustrations added to my understanding and reading enjoyment.