Hadrian was born on 24 January 76, probably in Italica (near modern Seville), a Roman town in the province of Hispania Baetica; one Roman biographer claims he was born in Rome. Hadrian’s branch of the gens Aelia came from Hadria (modern Atri), an ancient town in the Picenum region of Italia, source of the name Hadrianus. The Aelii Hadriani were either part of the original settlers of Italica, founded by Scipio Africanus, and therefore stationed in Hispania for several centuries, or moved there at an unknown time.
Hadrian’s father was named Publius Aelius Hadrianus. His father was Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer, a senator of praetorian rank, born and raised in Italica. Hadrian’s mother was Domitia Paulina, daughter of a distinguished Hispano-Roman senatorial family from Gades (Cádiz). His only sibling was an elder sister, Aelia Domitia Paulina. His wet-nurse was the slave Germana, probably of Germanic origin, to whom he was devoted throughout his life. She was later freed by him and ultimately outlived him, as shown by her funerary inscription, which was found at Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. Hadrian’s great-nephew, Gnaeus Pedanius Fuscus Salinator, from Barcino (Barcelona) would become Hadrian’s colleague as co-consul in 118. As a senator, Hadrian’s father would have spent much of his time in Rome.
