Hadrian : the restless emperor / Anthony R. Birley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Birley, Anthony, 1937-2020.

Contributor:

Class of 1891 Department of Arts Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hadrian, Emperor of Rome, 76-138.

Hadrian.

Emperors--Rome--Biography.

Emperors.

Rome--History--Hadrian, 117-138.

Rome.

Rome (Empire).

History.

Hadrian's Wall (England).

England--Hadrian's Wall.

Roman Forum (Rome, Italy).

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xvii, 399 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York, NY : Routledge, 1997.

Summary:

In "Hadrian," Anthony R. Birley brilliantly uses new evidence to chronicle the fascinating life of a man who, while broken and hated at his death, nevertheless left an indelible stamp on the Roman Empire. Birley shows how Hadrian brazenly abandoned his predecessor Trajan's eastern conquests, constructed new demarcation lines in Germany, North Africa, and most famously Hadrian's Wall in Britain, to limit the expansion of the Empire. Hadrian portrayed himself as a second Augustus, and, unlike most Roman emperors, acted rather than reacted. He promoted the "Greek Renaissance" extravagantly, but his attempt to Hellenize the Jews had disastrous consequences. Birley also explores Hadrian's dramatic personal life, including his tragic love affair with the young Antinous, whose death in the Nile caused speculation of suicide and even sacrifice.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 309-371) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1891 Department of Arts Fund.

ISBN:

041516544X

OCLC:

36024001