Changes

Everywhere Hadrian went he build temples, monuments and public buildings and encouraged the building or re-building of towns and cities. The aims of this building policy were complex. They sought to demonstrate the power of Hadrian and to legitimize his authority in the Roman World, after the controversy of his alleged adoption by Trajan.<ref>Danzinger, p 198</ref>. The ambitious building projects were also part of a strategy to promote urbanisation, to revive the fortunes of many provinces.  The many building projects in Greece were part of an effort to restore that province after many years of perceived neglect. Hadrian rebuilt Athens’, and this greatly helped the local economy. This policy did much to revive the economies of provinces from Asia Minor to Britain. This policy of urban development was to benefit all the Empire, especially in the Hellenized provinces, which were the subject of generosity from Hadrian, that great lover of Greek culture. The commitment to urban development was part of his efforts to strengthen and consolidate the Empire.<ref>Birley, p 178</ref>.