In Britain we tend to have a soft spot for Hadrian because of the wall he built from the Tyne to the Solway which remains one of the most outstanding Roman survivals in northern Europe. Comparatively few people, however, know much about the man himself and this is a pity because he was one of the most interesting men ever to assume the title of emperor of Rome. A voracious traveller, he spent two-thirds of his reign away from Rome and visited virtually every province. He was extremely intelligent, a poet, a soldier, an architect, a philosopher, and an administrator - he even created an entirely new religion. However, he was also pedantic, intolerant, cruel, two-faced, arrogant, and a murderer, and by the time of his death almost universally hated.

During this illustrated talk we will look at Hadrian the man, and his achievements, and try to come to an understanding of his complex and, at times, deeply flawed character.