Ancient World
Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli: The Emperor's Country Palace
The villa became the largest Roman imperial residence known and, after its rediscovery, a major source of ancient sculpture and architectural ideas.
Region
Europe
Ancient World
Hadrian's Wall (AD 122): Rome's Frontier in Northern Britain
The wall became the northern frontier of Roman Britain for most of nearly three centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ancient World
Mausoleum of Hadrian: The Origin of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome
Built as an imperial tomb, the monument survived as a fortress, prison and papal refuge and is now a national museum.
Ancient World
Antonine Plague (AD 165-180): The Epidemic That Shook Rome
A pandemic, probably smallpox, killed millions across the Roman Empire and strained its army, finances and frontiers.
Ancient World
Marcomannic Wars (166-180): Marcus Aurelius on the Danube
Rome restored the Danube frontier after years of costly fighting; Commodus made peace in 180 and the planned new provinces were never created.
Ancient World
Roman Embassy to Han China (166): Daqin Envoys Reach the Court
The first recorded arrival in China of people claiming to represent the Roman Empire, probably merchants rather than official envoys.
Ancient World
Catacombs of Rome: Early Christian Burials Beneath the City
Christian and Jewish communities created dozens of underground cemeteries whose tombs, inscriptions and paintings are a major source for early Christianity.
Ancient World
Baths of Caracalla (AD 212-216): Rome's Imperial Bath Complex
Rome gained one of its largest and most lavish public baths, which operated for three centuries and survives as a monumental ruin and summer opera venue.
Ancient World
Constitutio Antoniniana (AD 212): Citizenship for All Free Men
Nearly all free inhabitants of the empire became Roman citizens, ending the old divide between citizens and provincials.
Ancient World
Crisis of the Third Century (235-284): Empire on the Brink
The empire fragmented and nearly collapsed, but was reunited by Aurelian and reorganised by Diocletian, emerging as a more militarised and centralised state.
Ancient World
Decian Persecution (250): The First Empire-Wide Persecution
Many Christians sacrificed or bought certificates and some were executed; the persecution ended by 251 but left a lasting dispute over the readmission of the lapsed.
Ancient World
Aurelian Walls (271): The Fortification of Ancient Rome
Rome was enclosed by a circuit of about 19 kilometres of walls that defined the city for some 1,600 years; much of it still stands.