Changes

[[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>

Following the death of Trajan, a series of revolts broke out which Hadrian managed to suppress quickly and effectively. Hadrian avoided war when possible and this was needed after the turmoil of Trajan. His foreign policy was one that sought peace through strength and this was largely effective. Perhaps the best example of Hadrian’s efforts to secure peace through strength was the wall that he ordered built in what is now northern England. Hadrian’s Wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain. It was also a statement of the power of his realm and as such it was very effective and secured Britannia.<ref>Dobson, Brian Hadrian's Wall (London: Penguin, 2000), p. 102</ref> Hadrian also built or re-built other defensive lines, known as limes all over his Empire.<ref> Birley, p 119</ref> Many has criticized Hadrian for his defensive approach, but it was one that had earlier been recommended by Augustus and was a sound one based on the resources available.