This engaging reading activity challenges students to think critically about power, empire, and leadership through the complex and often controversial rule of Hadrian, one of Rome’s most fascinating emperors.

What’s Included

• 1 structured reading worksheet based on the History Skills article on Emperor Hadrian

• 19 comprehension and analysis questions, including:

• Factual recall questions to check understanding

• Higher-order thinking questions that encourage evaluation of Hadrian’s policies and legacy

• Clear, student-friendly question sequencing that follows the article logically

  What Students Will Explore

• Hadrian’s rise to power and the controversies surrounding his succession

• His decision to abandon Trajan’s eastern conquests in favour of consolidation

• The purpose and significance of Hadrian’s Wall and frontier defences

• His architectural achievements and rebuilding of the Roman world

• Hadrian’s promotion of Greek culture and identity

• The causes and consequences of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in Judea

• The political tensions and challenges that marked the final years of his reign

Benefits for Teachers

• Ready-to-use worksheet that saves planning time
• Ideal for lessons, homework, revision, or cover work
• Supports literacy, historical comprehension, and analytical skills
• Works well as an individual task or guided classroom activity

Benefits for Students

• Develops confidence in reading historical texts
• Encourages critical thinking about leadership and imperial policy
• Helps students connect political decisions to long-term consequences
• Builds subject-specific vocabulary in Ancient Roman history

Curriculum Fit

• Perfect for Ancient History and Classical Civilisation courses
• Suitable for middle to upper secondary students
• Aligns with topics on:
• The Roman Empire
• Imperial leadership and governance
• Roman expansion, consolidation, and frontier control