 Along with Plotina and Matidia, Attianus accompanied Trajan's body to Seleucia and his ashes to Rome.Early in Hadrian's reign, Attianus counselled the emperor on his accession against various possible opponents, and, according to Hadrian's lost autobiography, was responsible for the murder of the ‘four consulars’ whose deaths were an early stain on his reign.However, the new emperor resented Attianus's power, and, in 119, induced him to request to be relieved of the post of Praetorian Prefect.