P. Aelius Hadrianus was born at Italica in Spain in 76 A.D. having lost his father at the age of ten, he was placed under the care of guardians, one of whom was the future emperor Trajan. He soon embarked on a military career and in 100 A.D. Hadrian married Trajan’s grandniece, Sabina, indicating that Trajan was grooming him as an heir. Hadrian was appointed governor of Syria during Trajan’s Parthian war, and was adopted by the emperor shortly before the latter's death. Much of Hadrian’s reign was spent in visiting the provinces of his vast empire where he greatly improved the defenses of the frontiers. In Rome he co-designed and built the spectacular temple of the pantheon; at Tibur he constructed a luxurious villa; in Athens he finished the monumental temple of Olympian Zeus and erected a library. There is little doubt that Hadrian was one of the most cap able emperors who ever occupied the throne. He devoted his whole life to the improvement of the state. His rule was, for the most part, firm and humane and he was an import ant patron of the arts. He died at Baiae on July 10, 138 A.D. after a long illness. His hand-chosen heir, antoninus pius, succeeded him. These stunning silver coin earrings are a testimony to the timeless contributions that the emperor Hadrian made to western civilization. The wearer of these earrings will at once feel an affinity for such an aesthetically minded emperor and will carry on the legacy of this most famous of ancient western empires.