DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0153
CHAPTER IV
AFRICA UNDER HADRIAN
A.D. 117-138
It is not within the range of this outline of Romano-African
history to comment upon the public or private career of any
of the Emperors, except where they are intimately associated
with or relevant to the present subject of inquiry. The Caesars,
up to the accession of Hadrian, had governed their African
dominions with varying success, but with little personal know-
ledge of the country or the native races held in subjection.1
Some of them entirely neglected this wealthy appendage to the
Empire, while others gave it their fostering care, and encouraged
the spread of colonisation by wise edicts and just administra-
tion. The active rule and firm policy adopted by Julius and
Augustus were the prelude to the establishment of a system
of government inaugurated by Vespasian, and continued with
beneficial results under a long line of emperors. To Trajan's
successful rule was due the era of prosperity which dawned
upon Africa at the commencement of the second century, and
it remained for Hadrian to follow in the steps of his wise
predecessor. Historians and commentators upon the career of
this remarkable ruler have often regretted that so little has been
recorded of this stirring epoch in Roman history. Contem-
porary writers are conspicuous for their silence, but it is fair to
assume that numerous treatises of the time emanating from
Rome, or well-established schools of literature in Carthage or
the chief cities of Africa, have been lost or thoughtlessly
destroyed. Suetonius takes rank as an illustrious writer in the
early part of the second century ; but, with the exception- of
the lives of the twelve Csesars and some fragments of other
compositions of less interest, his works no longer exist. As the
confidential friend and secretary of the Emperor Hadrian and
' Julius Caesar was Consul only, but not Imperator, during his African campaign.
AFRICA UNDER HADRIAN
A.D. 117-138
It is not within the range of this outline of Romano-African
history to comment upon the public or private career of any
of the Emperors, except where they are intimately associated
with or relevant to the present subject of inquiry. The Caesars,
up to the accession of Hadrian, had governed their African
dominions with varying success, but with little personal know-
ledge of the country or the native races held in subjection.1
Some of them entirely neglected this wealthy appendage to the
Empire, while others gave it their fostering care, and encouraged
the spread of colonisation by wise edicts and just administra-
tion. The active rule and firm policy adopted by Julius and
Augustus were the prelude to the establishment of a system
of government inaugurated by Vespasian, and continued with
beneficial results under a long line of emperors. To Trajan's
successful rule was due the era of prosperity which dawned
upon Africa at the commencement of the second century, and
it remained for Hadrian to follow in the steps of his wise
predecessor. Historians and commentators upon the career of
this remarkable ruler have often regretted that so little has been
recorded of this stirring epoch in Roman history. Contem-
porary writers are conspicuous for their silence, but it is fair to
assume that numerous treatises of the time emanating from
Rome, or well-established schools of literature in Carthage or
the chief cities of Africa, have been lost or thoughtlessly
destroyed. Suetonius takes rank as an illustrious writer in the
early part of the second century ; but, with the exception- of
the lives of the twelve Csesars and some fragments of other
compositions of less interest, his works no longer exist. As the
confidential friend and secretary of the Emperor Hadrian and
' Julius Caesar was Consul only, but not Imperator, during his African campaign.