Today in 117AD Hadrian, the adopted son of Trajan, became the new Roman Emperor. Trajan had ruled for nearly twenty years and had enlarged the Empire greatly. Hadrian in his twenty one year rule would be just as good for Rome. He left behind four great building works, which remain today.
The first was to rebuild Agrippa’s Pantheon, adding the 141ft diameter Dome. It has massive bronze doors and now a church, has buried two of Italy’s kings and the artist Raphael amongst others.
On the river Tiber is the Castel San Angelo, another stone dome building, this one built as his own tomb. It has been used as a fortress by more than one Pope when Rome has been threatened. It housed Pope Clement VII when the forces of the (Spanish)Holy Roman Empire sacked the city in 1527. It is well worth a visit if you ever go to Rome. A coffee from the battlements’ cafe’ is a good end to a walk around the military museum it is now.
The third monument is the beautiful Villa at Tivoli.
Lastly is the wall he had constructed in the North of England to keep out those pesky Picts(Scots). It was 15ft high and stretched 73 miles from coast tocoast and there was a fort every five miles.
Hadrian had been unwell for some time and despite seeking death and requesting it of his adopted son Pius, who refused to aid him, he died aged 62 in his villa at Baie on the Bay of Naples.
Marlborough seals his greatest victory today in Bavaria.
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Today, the 13th August, in 1704 John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough won his greatest victory. He and Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated a larger French and Bavarian army under the great Marshall Tallard at Blenheim, in Bavaria and saved Austria from invasion.
Tallard thought his army was safe, with one flank resting on the Danube, but superior English firing drill, better artillery and cavalry defeating shock tactics undid his strong defensive position.
The victory marked the end of French supremacy in the war of Spanish Succession, in which it was fought.Marlborough noticed Tallard had put most of his strength on his right, so he sent 20 Battalions to hold him there, while Prince Eugene held the Bavarians on the left.
The Centre, which was mostly cavalry in two ranks, was then assailed and with few reserves, was routed using superior defensive tactics. Tallard realised too late that Marlborough had seen through his ruse and despite sending units to bolster the endangered centre, could not save his army.
The Bavarians on the left, seeing the French collapse in the afternoon, left the field. Many French units fought on hopelessly, but bravely, until nightfall, but the situation was hopeless. Tallard was captured and his army lost half its number, close to 30000. Allied losses were 12000 of his more than 50000.
It was a great campaign. Starting 250 miles away and marching through enemy territory, Marlborough had smashed the idea of French invincibility, held throughout Louis XIV’s reign.
The 18th Century would belong instead to England. -
Nice Post Wittmann, enjoyed reading it and to learn a little.
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Thank you Aequitas.
Are you anywhere near Blindheim? Would you visit the battlefield? -
It’s an hour and 40 minutes away of me and might be worth a visit.
The whole area, I live right now was part of many conflicts back in the days. -
Thank you fro the answer. I thought it might have been a little closer.
Hope things are working out for you over there.
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