In the previous article, we tackled Trajan Caesar, who assumed power since 98 to 117 AD; we spoke about his fame as the best among the Roman State emperors, his simplicity and his good management of the country affairs that he restored its old glories. However, Christians suffered in his age from violent harsh persecutions, and many of them were martyred. Trajan died during his return to Rome from one of his conquests in 117 AD, and was succeeded by Hadrian Caesar.
Hadrian Caesar (117 – 138 AD)
Trajan Caesar had no son to succeed him in ruling Rome, so the army selected his cousin Hadrian Caesar – who had been the commander of Syria’s armies then – to be the country’s ruler. Contrary to his predecessor, Hadrian was not interested in conquests and expanding the Roman Empire’s borders, he was not a lover of wars, unconcerned about conquests, preferring peace and keeping the borders and possessions of his country.
Hadrian was an erratic contradictory character; sometimes he used to be patient and forbearing towards his flock, and sometimes hot tempered. Sometimes he used to tend towards virtues, and sometimes he used to seek vices! He also was not good in expecting consequences; he increased the imposed taxes and fines until the people got in great distress. He allowed a man of extremely bad morals to participate in ruling with him, which raised the people’s anger, describing him as a reckless mentally disordered man! However, out of his toughly contradictory character, he cared about constructing large edifices. He was known for his tendency to knowledge, literature and science.
As for the influence of his reign in Egypt; his days were rich in good and blessings. Yet, an event occurred in Alexandria: after suppressing the sedition of the Jews, a great tough sedition broke out because of the calf Apis which was worshipped by the Egyptians. A new calf, similar to calf Apis, appeared, leading to much arguments and debates about where the calf would be brought up, how it would be fed, and checking whether it was their idol calf Apis. This conflict between the people sects led to a violent ferocious war all over the country. When these conflicts’ news reached Hadrian, he quickly came to Egypt to quell the sedition, and he hurried to bridge the gap between the Egyptians and the Greeks living in Alexandria.
During his visit to Egypt, he visited and examined all the regions of the country, the Egyptians rejoiced so much at his visit, they coined the currency with his name and the date of his arrival to Egypt! He visited Upper Egypt in a Nile cruise, disturbed by nothing, until his son Antonius died and he delved into deep sorrow. Hadrian Caesar built and constructed edifices in Rome and cared about spreading knowledge and science as he did in Egypt.
In a letter about Egypt, he wrote: “I have inspected Egypt, its conditions and duties, at first I used to praise it only and avoid dispraising it, I realized, after considering well, that it is a lesson for everyone. It is imprudent, unsteady on one state, unceasing to uproar and compete especially in religious matters and what comes out of them… Alexandria is the house of the government, it is a city rich in good and blessing, its people are not of idleness and sluggishness, most of them are linen weavers. They are industry oriented, they do not neglect it, and they never waste their time except in earning. All of them – even the commons – acknowledge and believe in the one god. Had it been a city of higher rank in education and civilization than it is now, it would have been of sovereignty over all other cities. Yet, because of the large number of its people, the increasing number of its buildings, and the vast land areas, it deserved to be the Egyptian Capital, that’s why I deprived it of nothing of her rights, but rather I have granted it all its old advantages and more, in order to be safe and reassured.” Hadrian ordered the Egyptians to dig a bay from the Nile reaching Al Qalzam Sea – the Red Sea- but it was filled later.
Hadrian Caesar persecuted and annihilated the Jews, he built the city of Jerusalem and called it Aelia. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem after its reconstruction, they revolted against him, so he sent them a great army to kill them and destruct the city, as came in Christ’s prophecy, “Your house is left to you desolate”. He prevented the Jews from dwelling there, and allowed Greeks instead.
Hadrian was a harsh persecutor of Christians; he ordered them to be killed, and idols to be worshipped, and he imposed severe restraints on them. He came to Egypt and killed countless people. One of the historians said: “He came to Egypt and almost consumed the Christians, as he killed multitudes of them.”
Christians in Jerusalem frequented the sites of the Holy Sepulcher and the Cross to pray, but the Greeks living there forbade them and built a temple named Venus. In 138 AD, Hadrian Caesar died and was succeeded by Antoninus Pius Caesar.
Antoninus Pius Caesar (138 – 161 AD)
Antonius Pius Caesar was nominated after the death of Hadrian to rule the country. He was known among the princes of Rome with generosity and good education, as he was smart, morally dignified, interested in attaining security for the country and the flock.
He made great efforts in managing the country and achieving progress of trade and industry. He was interested in being circumspect with regards to the economic affairs of the country and its expenses, abstaining from being luxurious and extravagant, which led to the boom of the economy in Rome. About him, some of his contemporary historians said, “If he would support all his flock opulently, he would have been able to do it.”
Antoninus Pius Caesar was interested in constructing of great buildings, which were considered among the greatest buildings of his era, which raised his respect by all the kings of nations. At this time, no king was equivalent to him regarding his good policy and management of his kingdom affairs.
As for Egypt affairs under his reign, Egypt lived in peace, justice prevailed, and construction and building increased in his days. However, some Alexandria resident Greeks were instigators of strife and disobedience, that they killed the ruler of Egypt. Thus, matters escalated until Antoninus Pius Caesar came with a large army to Egypt, entered Alexandria victoriously and restored its peace. This Caesar died in 161 AD, and was mourned by his flock. Marcus Aurelius Caesar succeeded him later, and…
