Emperor Hadrian, known for his extensive building projects and significant contributions to Roman law, died from heart failure at his villa in Baiae, a picturesque seaside resort on the bay of Naples. He had been increasingly frail in his later years, and this decline marked the end of a visionary ruler who had endeavored to consolidate and strengthen the Roman Empire. Hadrian's health issues were compounded by the political challenges he faced throughout his reign, including uprisings in the provinces. In the days leading up to his death, Hadrian made arrangements for his final resting place, highlighting the deep bond he shared with his wife, Vibia Sabina, who had died some years earlier. Upon his death, Hadrian was laid to rest in the Tomb of Hadrian in Rome, a monumental structure that would later become known as Castel Sant'Angelo.

During Hadrian's reign, he had undertaken significant construction projects, including the famous Hadrian's Wall in Britain and the Pantheon in Rome, which still stands today as a testament to Roman engineering. His era was characterized by relative peace and stability, often referred to as the Pax Romana, and his death marked a transition into an uncertain future for the empire he worked diligently to maintain. His successor, Antoninus Pius, who was adopted by Hadrian, would need to navigate both internal and external pressures in the wake of Hadrian's passing.