Hadrian

Hadrian
Hero information
Introduced in	Age of Empires: Return of Rome
Hero type	Infantry
Statistics
Hit points	200
Regeneration	30 hit points per minute
Melee attack	35
Reload time	1.5
Melee armor	10
Pierce armor	0
Armor class	Light infantry
Speed	1.125
Line of Sight	4
Ability	Cannot be converted

Hadrian is an infantry hero in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome. He possesses the model of a Centurion.

Campaign appearances

Despite appearing as an ally in all but one scenario of the Trajan campaign, Hadrian himself never makes an appearance in the campaign.

His unit is renamed to Lugal-Zaggisi and appears in the scenario The Prophecy in the Sargon of Akkad campaign, where Sargon is tasked with killing him.

History

Hadrian (Latin: Caesar Trajanus Hadrianus) was the Roman Emperor who ruled from 117 to 138 AD. He is known for his military prowess and close relationship with Emperor Trajan. Hadrian began his career as a military officer and served in various campaigns across the Roman Empire. During the Dacian Wars, he played a significant role in the Roman victory, and his military achievements caught the attention of Trajan, who became his mentor and eventually chose him as his successor. Under Trajan's guidance, Hadrian continued to excel and lead successful campaigns in Syria and Judea.

After ascending to the throne, he focused on consolidating the empire's borders. He implemented a defensive strategy and actively toured the provinces, inspecting and fortifying frontier regions. He proved to be an adept statesman and administrator, implementing various reforms to improve the governance of the Roman Empire.

Hadrian also left a lasting architectural legacy with projects such as the iconic Hadrian's Wall in Britannia and rebuilding the Pantheon in Rome. Furthermore, Hadrian's personal life has been a subject of much discussion and debate, particularly his relationship with his lover Antinous, a young Greek man. Antinous's untimely death at about 19 years of age deeply affected Hadrian, and in his beloved's honour Hadrian established the cult of Antinous and ordered the construction of numerous statues and monuments dedicated to him throughout the empire.

Gallery

Artworks of Hadrian (left) and Trajan (right) as seen in the campaign cutscenes

Cuirassed statue of Hadrian wearing the Corona Civica, from the North Nymphaeum at Perga, Antalya Museum

His famous Wall appears in the York scenario