Hadrian: Empire and Conflict - The Catalogue
British Museum Provides New Insights into Publius Aelius Hadrianus
This 255-page full colour catalogue has been published to accompany a major exhibition entitled: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict, presented by the British Museum during the Summer of 2008. Thorsten Opper, curator of the exhibition, has authored an outstanding catalogue in which Hadrian, ruler of one of the ancient world's most powerful regimes, just seems to come alive.
The book features more than 250 photographs of statues, busts, architectural fragments, paintings, maps, manuscripts, documents and coins. Opper brings the reader face to face with the objects that tell the Emperor's story.
In this publication, the popular image of Hadrian is presented. But it doesn't end there. Opper calls upon the results of the latest archaeological research and architectural discoveries to re-examine the life of this fascinating man. Hadrian's complicated personality has continued to intrigue commentators from his own time to the present day.
A Fresh Look at Hadrian
In his preface, Opper says: "New discoveries, the exchange of ideas and the ensuing debate are what keeps work in this field so singularly exciting." He demonstrates this by discussing Hadrian's life through several very specific themes, such as "A New Elite", "War and Peace", "Architecture and Identity", "Hadrian's Villa", "Antinous", "Sabina" and "Towards Eternity". These subjects encompass important aspects of Hadrian's legacy, or, in Opper's words: "seem in particular need of a fresh look, perhaps even a more profound reassessment."
So, taking a "fresh look", Opper starts by looking at Hadrian's early life, his wider family and the elite society to which he belonged. Hadrian's relationships with Trajan (his guardian), Sabina (his wife) and Antinous (his male lover) are all explored.
Hadrian's Rise to Power
Opper cites The Historia Augusta, (a collection of biographies of Roman emperors), which records that when Hadrian came to power, "The nations conquered by Trajan were in revolt; the Moors were on a rampage; the Britons could not be kept under Roman sovereignty; Egypt was ravaged by uprisings; finally, Libya and Palestine displayed their spirit of rebellion." (The Historia Augusta, Hadrian 5.2). Opper examines Hadrian's policies regarding these events in great detail.
The Amateur Architect
Hadrian was a talented amateur architect who left his mark in almost every city across his empire. Opper's text provides photographs and plans of many of these structures, including the Pantheon, his magnificent villa near Tivoli (outside Rome) and his Mausoleum which he started to plan almost as soon as he rose to power.
Conclusion
This outstanding exhibition catalogue is written in a style and language accessible to the general reader, from the curious student to the serious historian. The scholarly publication makes fascinating reading and will, no doubt, like the exhibition, provoke much debate amongst all who read it.
The exhibition will be open until 26th October 2008 and full details can be obtained from the British Museum.
Source:
- Opper, Thorsten. Hadrian: Empire and Conflict (exh.cat.). London, British Museum Press, 2008.
Bronze Torso and head of Hadrian from Beth Shean
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Hadrian: Empire and Conflict
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