Hadrian

00:00:05 It's August, 117 AD, and the Roman Empire, the mightiest political entity on the planet, is in crisis.

00:02:25 the architect, the visionary who ensured for Rome an age of unparalleled peace and prosperity.

00:04:51 But on becoming Emperor himself, Hadrian did the unthinkable.

00:07:03 To achieve this, Hadrian embarked on a vast imperial tour of all his provinces

00:09:15 the northern frontiers of Britannia where, "The Britons,"

00:11:48 And this climb has been worth it because look, here it is...

00:14:31 North Africa boomed under Hadrian, and that prosperity would continue for hundreds of years.

00:17:03 of the extent of devastation caused during the rebellion and the sheer scale of Hadrian's restoration.

00:19:12 of the city itself, strengthening that central concept that bound civilised Greeks and Romans together

00:22:16 Antinous became Hadrian's constant companion.

00:25:14 he did make sure that there were four larger-than-life statues of himself at the entrance.

00:27:52 must surely have been highlighted by the company of his handsome young companion, Antinous.

00:30:44 There's a really eerie feeling here.

00:33:35 barley for beer, lentils, dates, onions, wine, olives, cabbage

00:35:53 including his wife, Sabina, and his own beloved Antinous.

00:37:57 as it didn't challenge the central political unity of the Empire, with himself as the father figure.

00:40:17 Hadrian was insatiably curious and we can be certain that he was drawn

00:43:06 Look, there's "Hadrianos" there.

00:45:35 "As result of Hadrian's devotion to luxury and lasciviousness

00:48:06 Julius Severus, the governor of Britain, to travel all the way here and take command of the operation.

00:50:53 Still grieving over the loss of Antinous, still smarting over the insurrection of the Jews

00:53:03 he had this extraordinary central area here, a reception area of some kind.

00:55:10 At 50 metres, it was greater than any other mausoleum, more massive

00:57:25 Many of the artefacts are newly-discovered, many of them never seen before in Europe.