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On this day in AD138 the Emperor Hadrian died and was succeeded by Antoninus Pius.

Coming to the throne in 117, Hadrian was the third of the so-called ‘Five Good Emperors’, who were known for their peaceful and prosperous reigns. Hadrian was also well known for his love of learning and his extensive building works; he was especially loved by the Greeks, who named him as the second founder of the city of Athens because of his many building projects there.

On this day in AD69 Vespasian was acclaimed emperor by his troops in Judaea

This sestertius beautifully illustrates Vespasian’s distinctive portraiture.

On this day in 180AD the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died

On the coin he is shown ascending to heaven on the back on an eagle, seeming to wave goodbye to the world.