It depicts on the obverse a portrait of the emperor, and on the reverse the newly-created goddess Britannia, seated with one foot upon a pile of rocks and holding a spear. This rare bronze sestertius, issued by Hadrian in c.134-8, commemorates his journey to Britain. The metropolis held a fascination for him, and he had been elected a citizen in 112, long before he became emperor. He also visited Athens, a place he would naturally wish to visit as a follower of Hellenistic culture, and a city to which he would return on future trips. His first trip, which took him out of Rome from 121 to 125, included such destinations at Britannia (modern Great Britain), Hispania (modern Spain), and parts of North Africa. To commemorate his travels and spread valuable political propaganda, Hadrian issued coins with various reverse types related to these journeys.
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Indeed, Hadrian spent far more time traveling the provinces than he did in Rome during the two decades of his rule.
![hadrian denarius hadrian denarius](https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2018/5/12/3/d/5/3d51e4d9-3b2a-45cb-86b7-106e059b03df.jpg)
The relative lack of military action during Hadrian’s reign left him free to pursue other goals, notably the construction of many public works and extensive political tours throughout his Empire. a devotee of Greek culture) of all Roman Emperors, and this heavily influenced how he spent his regnal years.
![hadrian denarius hadrian denarius](https://www.baldwin.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/C201011506-3-20210607135457.jpg)
Hadrian, who succeeded his adoptive father Trajan to the throne upon the latter’s death in AD 117, had the luxury of ruling in the middle of what is now considered to be a golden age, when five so-called “good emperors” reigned.