Rome Honors Alexander

The Ancient Greeks are renowned for their works of art, and coins of the legendary king, Alexander "The Great", we can see some of the finest examples ever minted. The most abundant portraits of Alexander coinage portray him as a great hero, and this portrait is a classic Roman image of the vibrant youthful Alexander, with flowing hair, and clean shaven face. Hadrian was born January 24, 76 AD. The exact place of his birth is still in dispute, although it has been narrowed down to Italica, near Seville, Spain, or Rome. His father died in 85, at which time he became the ward of a relative who happened to be Trajan, a future emperor. Following his education in Rome, Hadrian held various civil and military posts. Trajan became emperor in 98, at which time he appointed Hadrian the "Archon of Athens". In Athens, he immersed himself in Greek culture, for which he developed a deep and abiding attachment, clearly seen in this coinage. Upon Trajan's death in 117, the army declared Hadrian Emperor, which was followed by a Senate ratification.