THE SCENE: The emperor Hadrian generally seems like a wise and enlightened man. Just don’t ask him about his wife.
THE TEXT: He encouraged others by the example of his own good qualities, too: he would walk as much as 20 miles in armor; he demolished the dining room in the camps, and porticos, covered galleries and ornamental gardens; frequently he would wear the humblest clothing – putting on an unguilded sword-belt, fastening his cloak with a un-jeweled clasp, and only reluctantly permitting himself and ivory hilt to his sword. He would visit six soldiers in their quarters, would choose the site for camp himself, and would not give the vine staff to anyone who was not robust enough good reputation, nor would he appoint anyone tribune who did not have a full beard or was not of an age to assume the powers of the tribunate with prudence and maturity; and he would not allow a tribune to accept any presence from a soldier. He cleared out every kind of luxury from all sides. Finally, he improved their arms and equipment. As regards to soldiers age, too, he pronounced that no one should serve in camp contrary to ancient usage either at a younger age than his strength called for or at an age more advanced than humanity would permit. It was his practice always to be acquainted with them and to know their unit.
Septicius Clarus, prefect of the guard, and Suetonius Tranquillis, director of his correspondence, he replaced, because they had at that time behaved in the company of his wife Sabina, in their association with her, in a more informal fashion than respect for the court household demanded. He would have dismissed his wife too, for being moody and difficult-if he had been a private citizen, as he himself used to say.
– The Augustan History, Aelius Spartianus, 4th Century AD
