Cities throughout the Roman Empire flourished during the reign of Hadrian (A.D. 117-138) a
phenomenon that not only strengthened and legitimized Roman dominion over its possessions but
also revealed Hadrian as a masterful negotiator of power relationships. In this comprehensive
investigation into the vibrant urban life that existed under Hadrian's rule Mary T. Boatwright
focuses on the emperor's direct interactions with Rome's cities exploring the many
benefactions for which he was celebrated on coins and in literary works and inscriptions.
Although such evidence is often as imprecise as it is laudatory its collective analysis
undertaken for the first time together with all other related material reveals that over 130
cities received at least one benefaction directly from Hadrian. The benefactions mediated by
members of the empire's municipal elite touched all aspects of urban life they included
imperial patronage of temples and hero tombs engineering projects promotion of athletic and
cultural competitions settlement of boundary disputes and remission of taxes. Even as he
manifested imperial benevolence Hadrian reaffirmed the self-sufficiency and traditions of
cities from Spain to Syria the major exception being his harsh treatment of Jerusalem which
sparked the Third Jewish Revolt. Overall the assembled evidence points to Hadrian's
recognition of imperial munificence to cities as essential to the peace and prosperity of the
empire. Boatwright's treatment of Hadrian and Rome's cities is unique in that it encompasses
events throughout the empire drawing insights from archaeology and art history as well as
literature economy and religion.
