--- title: Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14936/map-of-the-hadrians-accession-journey-117-118-ce/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-08-11 --- # Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14936.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14936.png) ## Image Caption [Hadrian](https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/)’s accession journey (117–118 CE) began amid political uncertainty following the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Trajan](https://www.worldhistory.org/trajan/) (reign 98–117 CE), when Hadrian (reign 117–138 CE) was acclaimed emperor at [Antioch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Antiochia/) on 11 August 117 CE. Rather than preserve Trajan’s recent conquests in [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/) and other territories beyond the Euphrates, Hadrian abandoned most of them and restored a more defensible eastern frontier. His route from the eastern provinces through [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) and the Balkans was shaped by further instability along the Danube, where unrest involving [Dacia](https://www.worldhistory.org/dacia/) and neighboring Sarmatian peoples required imperial attention before he could establish himself securely at [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in 118 CE. The journey established the central principles that would define Hadrian’s reign: consolidation, defensible frontiers, military preparedness, and direct imperial involvement in provincial government. His withdrawal from Trajan’s eastern conquests was not simply a rejection of expansion but a strategic decision about the limits of [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) power and the resources required to defend an enormous [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). By addressing frontier crises before formally settling into Rome, Hadrian demonstrated a model of emperorship in which authority depended upon mobility and personal intervention as much as command from the imperial capital. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2021, December 06). Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 06, 2021. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Hadrian’s Accession Journey, 117–118 CE: Securing the Throne and Consolidating the Roman Empire." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Dec 2021, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 06 December 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.