He encouraged the arts, reformed the laws, asserted military discipline, and visited all his provinces in person.

His vast and active genius was equally suited to the most enlarged views, and the minute details of civil policy.

But the ruling passions of his soul were curiosity and vanity.

As they prevailed, and as they were attracted by different objects, Hadrian was, by turns, an excellent prince, a ridiculous sophist, and a jealous tyrant.
The general tenor of his conduct deserved praise for its equity and moderation.

Yet in the first days of his reign, he put to death four consular senators, his personal enemies, and men who had been judged worthy of empire; and the tediousness of a painful illness rendered him, at last, peevish and cruel.