Roman Empire, Sabina Augusta, wife of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), AR Denarius

Vibia Sabina was a Roman Empress and the wife of Emperor Hadrian, who ruled from AD 117 to 138.

She was born around AD 83 and was the daughter of Matidia, a niece of Emperor Trajan. Through this family connection, Sabina belonged to the imperial household. She married Hadrian around AD 100, before he became Emperor.

When Hadrian succeeded Trajan in AD 117, Sabina became Empress. She was later granted the title Augusta, probably in AD 128. Sabina accompanied Hadrian on some of his travels across the Roman Empire and was publicly presented as a dignified and ideal imperial wife.

The marriage appears to have been distant and produced no children. Ancient writers describe tension between Sabina and Hadrian, although these accounts may be exaggerated or hostile.

Sabina died around AD 136 or 137, shortly before Hadrian. After her death, she was deified and honoured as Diva Sabina.

Her coins usually show an elegant portrait with carefully arranged hair. Common legends include SABINA AVGVSTA and DIVA AVGVSTA SABINA. Reverse types often feature goddesses such as Juno, Vesta, Venus and Concordia, emphasising imperial dignity, marriage, harmony and female virtue.

CONCORDIA AVG (Concordia Augustus or Concordia Augusta): Majestic Harmony

Concordia Augusta was honoured for her role promoting understanding between co-Emperors and Caesars, and promoting marital harmony in the imperial household.

Hadrian, Roman Emperor from 117-138 AD. He has been described as a 'benevolent dictator' and spent half of his reign abroad. In 122 AD he started the construction of a new wall that would 'separate the barbarians from the Romans' in Britain. Despite the massacre during the second Roman-Jewish war (132-135 AD) he is still considered to be one of the 5 Good Emperors. His reign saw relative peace and his focus was mostly on culture.