Overview

Even in the panoply of Roman history, Hadrian stands out. Emperor from 117 to 138 ad, he was at once a benevolent ruler and a ruthless military leader, known for his restless and ambitious nature, his interest in architecture, and his passion for Greek culture. This book moves beyond the familiar image of Hadrian to offer a new appraisal of this Emperor's contradictory personality, his exploits and accomplishments, his rule, and his military role, against the backdrop of his twenty-one-year reign. Lavishly illustrated with key works of art and objects, celebrated and little-known sculptures, bronzes, coins and medals, drawings, and watercolors from museums around the globe, the book conveys a vivid sense of the world Hadrian inhabited. Thorsten Opper shows the emperor from many angles - as a complex individual, as a military leader and strategist, as the amateur architect who created magnificent buildings such as his villa at Tivoli (an empire in miniature), as the lover who deified his male lover Antinous after his mysterious death in the Nile, and, finally, as the traveler who tirelessly roamed his empire and its boundaries. From his place in Roman history to his legacy, which even makes its way into the popular culture of our day, the Hadrian who emerges from these pages is no longer larger than life; rather, he has all the depth and complexity, the color and shadings and detail of life itself.

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9780674057425

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Reviews

Bring[s] together artifacts from around the world, including stunning sculptures, bronzes, coins, mosaics, and fine interpretive texts about the man who was emperor of Rome from 117 C.E. to 138 C.E...[A] striking, beautifully illustrated book. -- Joan W. Gartland Library Journal 20080915 [An] excellent and lavishly illustrated book...Highly recommended and astonishing value for money. -- Andrew Jack culturekiosque.com 20081026 The book is lavishly illustrated with high--quality color photos of many important works of art, architecture, and coins from many countries...Intended for a general audience, the book is lucidly written. -- J. Pollini Choice 20090501

Bring[s] together artifacts from around the world, including stunning sculptures, bronzes, coins, mosaics, and fine interpretive texts about the man who was emperor of Rome from 117 C.E. to 138 C.E...[A] striking, beautifully illustrated book. -- Joan W. Gartland Library Journal 20080915 [An] excellent and lavishly illustrated book...Highly recommended and astonishing value for money. -- Andrew Jack culturekiosque.com 20081026 The book is lavishly illustrated with high--quality color photos of many important works of art, architecture, and coins from many countries...Intended for a general audience, the book is lucidly written. -- J. Pollini Choice 20090501

Author Information

Thorsten Opper is a curator in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the British Museum. He has published work on ancient sculpture and eighteenth-century antiquarianism.

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