www.ambiente.us AUGUST / AGOSTO 2008
Hadrian's life uncovered in new British Museum exhibition
By Forum Mithani
Think of Roman Emperor Hadrian and the first thing that
springs to mind is the wall that bears his name, separating
England from the revolting Picts.
However, there were many sides to Hadrian, as a new
exhibition about his life reveals.
As well as being a great leader who strengthened the
empire through consolidation and crushed dissent
Ruthlessly, Hadrian was also a cultured man and the
first openly gay emperor.
Hadrian: Empire and Conflict, opens at the British Museum
tomorrow.
It offers a new perspective on the personal life and career
of a man of many contradictions.
Hadrian, full name Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus, was born in AD
76 to a family of Spanish descent.
His father died when he was a young boy, and he was taken under the wing of the Emperor Trajan, who
groomed him for succession.
Hadrian excelled as a military leader and was married to Trajan’s great-niece, further cementing his future
succession. He eventually became emperor on Trajan’s death in 117 AD.
However, the marriage was one of convenience rather than love; neither Hadrian nor his wife was happy.
Instead, Hadrian consoled himself with a string of lovers, including a young Greek boy named Antinous.
Homosexual relationships were nothing new during the Roman Empire, however, the extent to which
Hadrian expressed his devotion for Antinous was unusual.
The young man became a consort of the emperor, accompanying him on his many travels. It was during one
such trip to Egypt that Antinous drowned in the Nile in 130 AD.
Devastated by this loss, Hadrian founded an entire city, Antinoupolis, in memory of his lover, near the spot
where he had died.
The emperor’s grief was such that he had Antinous deified as a god and many statues, busts and silverware
featuring Antinous’ image were made. Some are included in the exhibition.
However, this soft, romantic side to Hadrian contrasted dramatically with his role as a military leader.
He was often ferocious in his suppression of dissent, particularly during a Jewish revolt in Jerusalem in 132
AD.
Hadrian was well known as a great traveler. It is said he traveled more widely, and met many more of his
subjects than any other emperor.
He also showed a great interest in architecture, and oversaw the construction of many iconic buildings,
including the Pantheon in Rome and the Villa Adriana in Tivoli, a magnificent celebration of Greek and
Egyptian art and culture.
Hadrian died in 138 AD, aged 62 and is regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors." Thorsten Opper, the
curator of the exhibition, hailed Hadrian as an "extremely successful emperor who left an immense and
enduring legacy."
Certainly, Hadrian was a man of many faces – military champion, political strategist, ruthless leader, man of
the people, lover of culture, grief-stricken lover – and gay icon.
History should remember him as a complex man with many passions.
Hadrian: Empire and Conflict opens at the British Museum in London on July 24th.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
Hadrian's life uncovered in new British Museum exhibition
By Forum Mithani
Think of Roman Emperor Hadrian and the first thing that
springs to mind is the wall that bears his name, separating
England from the revolting Picts.
However, there were many sides to Hadrian, as a new
exhibition about his life reveals.
As well as being a great leader who strengthened the
empire through consolidation and crushed dissent
Ruthlessly, Hadrian was also a cultured man and the
first openly gay emperor.
Hadrian: Empire and Conflict, opens at the British Museum
tomorrow.
It offers a new perspective on the personal life and career
of a man of many contradictions.
Hadrian, full name Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus, was born in AD
76 to a family of Spanish descent.
His father died when he was a young boy, and he was taken under the wing of the Emperor Trajan, who
groomed him for succession.
Hadrian excelled as a military leader and was married to Trajan’s great-niece, further cementing his future
succession. He eventually became emperor on Trajan’s death in 117 AD.
However, the marriage was one of convenience rather than love; neither Hadrian nor his wife was happy.
Instead, Hadrian consoled himself with a string of lovers, including a young Greek boy named Antinous.
Homosexual relationships were nothing new during the Roman Empire, however, the extent to which
Hadrian expressed his devotion for Antinous was unusual.
The young man became a consort of the emperor, accompanying him on his many travels. It was during one
such trip to Egypt that Antinous drowned in the Nile in 130 AD.
Devastated by this loss, Hadrian founded an entire city, Antinoupolis, in memory of his lover, near the spot
where he had died.
The emperor’s grief was such that he had Antinous deified as a god and many statues, busts and silverware
featuring Antinous’ image were made. Some are included in the exhibition.
However, this soft, romantic side to Hadrian contrasted dramatically with his role as a military leader.
He was often ferocious in his suppression of dissent, particularly during a Jewish revolt in Jerusalem in 132
AD.
Hadrian was well known as a great traveler. It is said he traveled more widely, and met many more of his
subjects than any other emperor.
He also showed a great interest in architecture, and oversaw the construction of many iconic buildings,
including the Pantheon in Rome and the Villa Adriana in Tivoli, a magnificent celebration of Greek and
Egyptian art and culture.
Hadrian died in 138 AD, aged 62 and is regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors." Thorsten Opper, the
curator of the exhibition, hailed Hadrian as an "extremely successful emperor who left an immense and
enduring legacy."
Certainly, Hadrian was a man of many faces – military champion, political strategist, ruthless leader, man of
the people, lover of culture, grief-stricken lover – and gay icon.
History should remember him as a complex man with many passions.
Hadrian: Empire and Conflict opens at the British Museum in London on July 24th.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
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