Hadrian: Empire and Conflict [Hardcover]

Thorsten Opper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2008

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.

(20080915)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Opper (curator, Greek & Roman sculpture, British Museum) curated the current British Museum exhibition on Hadrian, which this book accompanies. Both bring 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. Opper newly assesses Hadrian's legacy. Hadrian had to assert his legitimacy continually, as the product of the new elite arising out of Spain, and as the adopted successor of his military mentor Trajan. Opper lauds Hadrian's ability to bring stability to the empire through his stamina, military actions, constant travel through the provinces, and extensive building programs in Rome and beyond, e.g., the famous wall in England's north. The author repeatedly demonstrates the importance of architecture in Hadrian's vision for the Roman Empire, and here, for the first time, readers can see fragments of a colossal statue of Hadrian excavated in 2007 at Sagalassos in Turkey. There is also a moving array of artifacts from the Cave of Letters in Judea, where people hid during the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132 C.E. when the Jewish population rose up against Roman rule and were brutally defeated. Opper covers both Hadrian's devotion to his Greek male lover, Antinous, and his relationship with his wife, Sabina, and his adoption of Antoninus Pius as his successor. This striking, beautifully illustrated book belongs in all archaeology, history, and ancient art collections in academic, special, and large public libraries.—Joan W. Gartland, Macomb Community Coll. Libs., Warren, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

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 20081026)

[An] excellent and lavishly illustrated book...Highly recommended and astonishing value for money. (Andrew Jack culturekiosque.com 20090501)

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 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (September 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674030958
• ISBN-13: 978-0674030954
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hadrian's world, architecture, and contribution, November 30, 2009

By 

S. Southall (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict (Hardcover)

Attractively illustrated accompaniment to the British Museum's exhibition on Hadrian as one of the great rulers significant in the formation of the Western world. Reveals Hadrian's many gifts as architect, patron, benefactor, military and administrative leader who famously set limits to his empire by building among other defences, Hadrian's Wall. Includes fascinating cultural and historical background to objects in the exhibition. Gives a balanced consideration of the political, religious and cultural effects following Hadrian's deification of his beloved Antinous after the youth's early death; Antinous was included in the Imperial Cult along with other members of the Emperor's family as Hadrian, like his adoptive father, Trajan, was gay. The book is written in an interesting and accessible style, touching on recent scholarship and archaeological finds and pursuing themes on the wider context of Hadrian's world as well as his reign. I would highly recommend this view into the ancient past.

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Epic Hadrian., November 21, 2008

By 

Mr. Hans Boonen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict (Hardcover)

I have so many personal reasons for continuing to be captivated by the Epic "Hadrian"; there was first making acquaintance when completing school in 1945-50, then the joyful reading of Marguerite Yourcenar's "Memoires d'Hadrien", and, again, my fortune of fulfilling career duties in distant corners of this world sometimes able to share one's interests with others. Until some years ago, retired, my two admirable british friends took me on that Tour of the 3 Kingdoms England, Ireland an Scotland when for the first time beholding Hadrian's Wall, and this more recently followed by the superb exposition "Hadrian Empire and Conflict".

So you see, Thorsten Opper's excellent and beautiful book is a heaven-sent and cherished by me as the perfect souvenir of times of epical achievements. Frankly, it's not merely a matter of recommending this precious book to others; one must have lived with love and respect for "The Ancient", and then this oeuvre is the perfect gift ! With gratitude Hans Boonen (France).

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objects relating to a complex, fascinating emperor, November 21, 2009

By 

Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict (Hardcover)

The Roman Emperor Hadrian (117 to 138AD) travelled extensively across the Roman empire, meeting more of his people than any other emperor before him. I've always loved to travel, and three sites related to Hadrian rank very high on my personal best list: the Wall he built between England and Caldonia, the Pantheon in Rome and his residence at Tivoli, a few miles east of Rome. Hadrian's Villa and Its Legacy is a wonderful study of the villa, a small city, really.

This exhibit explored "the sharp contradictions of his personality and his role as a ruthless military commander.... The book features over 180 objects from 28 lenders from Italy to Georgia, from Israel to Newcastle. ... dramatic sculpture, exquisite bronzes and architectural fragments [including] a bronze head of Hadrian and the Vindolanda tablets."

Hadrian's family were originally from Spain; years ago we visited the ruins of their city. Hadrian was adopted by his predecessor Trajan, also a Spaniard, on his deathbed.

"By the time of Hadrian's accession, the Roman Empire covered much of Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East. But Hadrian recognised imperial overstretch and acted quickly to re-draw the empire's borders, to consolidate and strengthen rather than continuing the expansive campaigns of his predecessor. His first act on coming to power was to withdraw the Roman forces from Mesopotamia, present- day Iraq. Another example of this consolidation was the wall he had built in the north of England to mark the furthest reach of his empire."

Hadrian reacted with great ferocity against the Jewish Revolt in 132 AD; the book includes photographs of objects belonging to Jewish rebels hiding in caves near Jerusalem.

Hadrian alos "took a young Greek male lover, Antinous, who accompanied him on his travels around the empire. In AD 130, Antinous drowned in mysterious circumstances in Egypt. Consumed by grief, Hadrian founded a new city, Antinoupolis, close to the spot where he died and had Antinous declared a god, linked to the Egyptian deity Osiris. A cult of Antinous-Osiris sprang up resulting in statues, busts and silverware featuring the image of the newly deified youth."

Thorsten Opper who wrote much of the catalog: "This will be a unique opportunity to see important objects related to Hadrian in one exhibition. Hadrian was an extremely successful emperor who left an immense and enduring legacy, but one that is often not recognised or appreciated. This exhibition will allow for a reassessment of his character, his life, love and legacy". The Museum has continued the tour of the exhibit on its website; this excellent catalog greatly enhances the online resources.

Robert C. Ross 2009