Disciplina Augusta, 251-271 Summary

The Roman citizens hold a triumph for Hadrian upon his return, and he adds Arrian's name to the honors. Owning quite a bit of land in around the city, he creates the comforts of his favorite lands within Rome.

As he approaches the issue of choosing his heir, Hadrian wonders whether it would have been wiser for him to have had a child. In the end, he reasons that a great man's issue is rarely as able as his father, and the system of adoption has worked best for Roman emperors. Though annoyed by Trajan's refusal to choose a successor until the last minute, Hadrian has done the same thing. Servianus, thirty years his elder and continuing to scheme for the throne, is out of the question. Marcius Turbo is too old, and Severus is Greek. He is left...