Hadrian

ISBN-13: 9781849668866 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 152 str.

James Morwood

Opis

The Roman emperor Hadrian, who lived from 76 to 138 AD was a hugely influential figure whose architectural legacy is obvious even today. However, he was also contradictory and mysterious: he was a Spaniard who became emperor at Rome; he was a popular, successful soldier who aimed to be a man of peace. He dabbled in black magic, and he courted scandal: as well as his bitterly unhappy marriage, he had a very public love affair with Greek boy, who died in mysterious circumstances surrounded by rumours of human sacrifice.This title explores these contradictions and complexities, and pieces together the picture of a man, his life, times and influence. It presents a rounded picture written in a lively and accessible style.
Looking in detail at key themes and topics of Hadrian's life, the title explores his Spanish background, his military service and initiatives of peace, his architectural legacy such as the Pantheon, his villa at Tivoli, his love of Athens and Athenian culture, his relationship with Antinous, and how he dealt with Christians and Jews. In addition to this, the title covers social aspects of life in the Roman empire in the second century: slavery, Roman baths and hygiene, the public spectacles of circus races, gladiatorial fights and animal hunts.

Recenzje

This very readable, engaging book is an excellent introduction to the emperor Hadrian ... It is detailed, covering an astonishing number of aspects of second-century Roman life; it is enlivened by humour, the author's personal experience, and modern comparisons. Most importantly, it provides a well-rounded, enlightening picture of Hadrian and his world. It is an essential introduction to the subject and would benefit readers from high-school age to seasoned academics. Classics Ireland

Spis treści

List of FiguresIntroductionChronology 1. Death on the Nile2. Growing up in Rome and Spain3. Starting out4. War and peace5. Rebuilding Rome6. Hadrian's Villa - the sunny pleasure dome and the caves of ice7. Bread and circuses - keeping the people happy8. The journeys9. Hadrian and Athens10. Antinous11. Christians and Jews12. The end BibliographyIndex

O autorze

James Morwood is an Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, UK, after seventeen years as Head of Classics at Harrow School. He is the author of 17 books, including The Plays of Euripides and Writing Latin, also published by Bloomsbury.