Changes

The Emperor clearly distrusted the Jews and sought to establish a military colony in Jerusalem and there is speculation that he wanted to integrate the Jewish religion into the traditional polytheistic faith of Rome. This provoked a massive anti-Roman revolt by the Jews under a messianic leader, named Simon bar Kokhba. He was a military genius and use guerrilla tactics to drive the Romans from Judea for many years.<ref>Danzinger, p 201</ref> The Second Jewish Revolt as it became known only ended the year of Hadrian’s death. By 137 AD, Hadrian’s health was falling, and he returned to Rome where he amused himself by writing poetry and overseeing architectural projects. He named as his successor, Antonius Pius on the stipulation that Antonius, would adopt the young Marcus Aurelius, as his heir. Hadrian died in 138 CE, presumably of a heart attack, at the age of 62. His death was mourned by the common people and the nobles in the provinces, but his demise was celebrated by many in the Roman senatorial class.

[[File: Hadrian Three.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The arch of Hadrian in Athens]]

Trajan was a great general and conqueror, but he overextended the army and the economy of the Roman world. His pursuit of glory and his efforts to emulate the achievements of Caesar and Alexander the Great did expand the Empire but also weakened it. Hadrian was faced with a host of problems as a result and it seemed that Rome and its provinces were in danger. However, Hadrian recognized this, and his focus was on consolidating the Empire. This led him to the controversial decision to abandon many of Trajan’s conquest in the east. He knew that they were only a burden on the Empire and would only drain it of precious treasure. That is why he agreed with a peace treaty with the Parthian monarch. This was to bring peace and stability to the area for decades. However, Hadrian retained the most important of Trajan’s conquest, namely Petra and northern Mesopotamia and these helped to strengthen the position of Rome in the east. Hadrian was able to extricate the Roman army from potential disaster in the east and this was a great achievement.<ref>Danzinger, p 119</ref>