Sudden Stroke Seals Power Shift: Hadrian Emperor at 41 in 117 CE!

"Wall Builder" Ascends - Beats Out "Senate's Pet" for Top Spot

What's the buzz, Rome? It's DXXVI Ab Urbe Condita (117 CE for you fancy Alexandrians), and there's a new gladiator in the Colosseum of power. Our dear Trajan just went to the great bathhouse in the sky, and his adopted stepson, Hadrian, has donned the purple toga.

Hadrian: From 'A Bit Part Player' to 'The Main Man'

Blink and you would've missed it. One day he's wandering within the boundaries of our mighty empire, and the next, he's running the show, controlling the strings of the Roman puppet theater. Now that's what we call a Roman Holiday!

Hadrian, also fondly known as our 'Wall Builder,' takes the throne at a hail and hearty age of 41. He's barely gotten his feet wet in the Tiber of life, and he's already commanding the largest empire the world has ever seen. Talk about the fast lane on the Appian Way!

A Stroke of Fate, or a Stroke of Genius?

It was all hunky-dory in the Roman Senate until our dear Trajan was called away for an impromptu consultation with Jupiter. Talk about a power vacuum! But, fear not dear readers, the gods always have a plan. In a twist that would make Ovid blush, our new Emperor Hadrian was miles away, enjoying the Hellenic sunshine when he got the big nod.

The Senate's Reaction: From 'Wait, Who?' to 'All Hail Hadrian!'

The Senate might've preferred the 'Pet of the Senate' (we're looking at you, Nerva), but they've embraced Hadrian faster than a centurion can down his wine. Of course, they had a little nudge from our departed friend Trajan's wife, Plotina. She swears black and blue that hubby dear wanted Hadrian to succeed him, even if he forgot to mention it before he, well, departed.

What's Next for Rome?

Hadrian's known for his love of all things Greek, and we're not just talking about the olives. Even the word on the Via Sacra is that he's planning to build a wall in some far-flung corner of Britannia. Talk about a DIY project!

So buckle up, Romans. It's 117 CE and we're in for a wild ride. Hadrian’s at the helm - let's see where the chariot takes us!