Premium Essay

The Emperor Hadrian

Submitted By
Words 1984
Pages 8
The Emperor Hadrian is not one of the more known portrait sculptures but it is certainly an artwork that represents a significance much deeper than what is portrayed. The Emperor Hadrian is a portrait sculpture that depicts the adventurous and fulfilling life of one of the most portrayed emperors in Roman history. Hadrian’s portraits have been found all throughout the Roman Empire, from the Asia Minor to Egypt and from the United Kingdom to Persia. Hadrian was known to have a complex character and that is depicted in the majority of his portrayals. As a result of his impeccable leadership and vast improvements to the Roman Empire, artists and sculptors gave Hadrian the most attention out of all Roman emperors. This specific portrait sculpture …show more content…
In this case, the subject matter is none other than Emperor Hadrian. To better understand this portrait sculpture, one must first have some background knowledge on the subject matter. To begin, our focus of attention is Hadrian. Hadrian was born on 24 January, 76 in Italica, Hispania which is modern-day Southern Spain. Furthermore, Hadrian was not like his predecessors, nor his successors, he was often away from Rome for the predominant part of his reign as Emperor. Professor D. Brendan Nagle writes that Hadrian, “spent most of his reign (twelve out of twenty-one years) traveling all over the Empire visiting the provinces, overseeing the administration, and checking the discipline of the army. He was a brilliant administrator who concerned himself with all aspects of government and the administration of justice.” It goes without saying that Hadrian was truly devoted to making sure every sector of his titanic empire was functioning at the most optimal levels possible. Moreover, Hadrian was also known to have been a rare kind of emperor. Some claim that he seldom placed himself on a pedestal like many of predecessors. He was so dedicated to his empire and his soldiers that often times when he was traveling, he would be wearing military attire, sleep and eat amongst his soldiers and saw himself as one of them. As well as being exceptionally keen to govern his far-reaching empire, Hadrian was also a well-known architecture enthusiast, and that could very well be his most enduring legacy. Hadrian inaugurated several cities in the Balkan region Peninsula, as well as in Egypt and Greece. He was also a known Greek enthusiast, and that is also one of the reasons he has a beard in his portraits. Likewise, he was the reason behind the rebuilding of the Pantheon in Rome, which is an architectural wonder as was discussed in class. Although Hadrian was a notable architectural

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Aelius Hadrian Legacy

...The Roman emperor Aelius Hadrianus was a man of Italian origin, but Greek in culture who had a burning passion for knowledge and unquenchable thirst for travel. Hadrian was never the same, for his nature possessed many sides: a singer and musician, a physician, a geometrician, a painter, a sculptor all encompassed in a single emperor. Historian Ferdinand Gregorovius writes that an ancient Roman historian described Hadrian’s nature was so unique in that “A bel esprit of so brilliant a character has not often been seen among men.” Indeed, Hadrian was blessed with a gifted mind and a curious spirit for knowledge, seeking to know everything that there was to possibly know. His vast wisdom pervaded his role as ruler, and under his wise policies...

Words: 1788 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Antoninus Pius: The Five Good Emperors In Ancient Rome

...Antoninus Pius was know as one of the Five Good Emperors in Ancient Rome. The other four emperors were known as Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. These dictators were all partially responsible for the Pax Romana, or the Roman peace that was present between the different nationalities within the Roman Empire. Antoninus Pius had quite a significant role during the time in which he was emperor. Some factors include his characterization, early life, and ruling period. Pius had left a mark on the Roman Empire that would change Roman history forever. Antoninus Pius became emperor when the previous emperor, Hadrian, died on July 10, 138 AD. Antoninus Pius was said to be the adopted son of Hadrian and jumped to the throne when his foster father perished. In addition, the emperor's last name, Pius, signifies the word dutiful. He was a popular, respected man whom...

Words: 612 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Pantheo Pantheon: The Architecture Of Roman Architecture

...Besides, up to the XIX century, there was no larger dome in diameter. The name of the temple of the Greek means "The temple of all the gods" (Perdew, 2015). It is the perfect example of a Roman temple, which reached virtually without any changes to the present day (Perdew, 2015). The architect Apollodorus of Damascus, who was also the author of many buildings in the Roman Forum, built it during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in Rome (Perdew, 2015). For centuries, the appointment of the Roman Pantheon had changed several times. It was both a fortress and a temple before it becomes a shrine of famous personalities and a well-preserved monument of architecture (Mindel, 2014). Already at first glance at the Roman Pantheon striking simplicity of its composition: a huge volume on the cylinder crown the soft contours of the round...

Words: 933 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Roman Empire's Influence On Andalucia Culture

...Andalucia has a variety of cultures such as Arabic, Jewish and Christian. Which makes Andalucia extremely diverse in traditions. Andalucia history began around 900 BC when the Phoenicians began to invade due to the wealthy agriculture and mining trade. The Phoenicians set up a chain of different trades. The Greeks and Carathaginians came here in five centuries later and which were expelled by the Romans. During the Roman times, Andalucia governed from Cordoba, which was one of the wealthiest and most civilized places of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire had huge influence on the Andalucia culture and transformed Andalucia in to a flourishing economy. Under the ruling of the Romans, Spain became a Christian country and the first two emperors...

Words: 276 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Ib Latin Internal Assessment

...B “You’re gay,” a term now used so freely to not only insult peers but to take a stab at the homosexual community. But was this homosexual stigma always prevalent in history? Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Roman state ruled most of the known world. During those five hundred years, emperors rose to power and fell, a republic formed and was destroyed but what perhaps is one the most important aspects of Roman society is free love. Homosexuality was not considered different nor was it considered an atrocity in the common roman man. In Rome, there was no special attention given to homosexuals or heterosexuals for that matter.[1] “…Roman men were not encouraged by their cultural heritage to categorize, much less evaluate or judge, sexual acts and agents on the basis of whether only males or females were involved…A study of Roman homosexuality would seem as incomplete and as peculiar to an ancient Roman as would a study of heterosexuality.”[2] The problem of same-sex activity lied within the persons committing the act and who was acting as the dominant one during the activity. It was very common for dinner guests or even the owners to take a young slave boy to bed and coerce him into a passive role. The passive role was considered akin to a woman’s role in sexual activity, which was considered below men. The men who engaged in the passive role are often referred to as cinaedus. “Here a second protocol governing men’s sexual behavior concerned the status of...

Words: 864 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Damnatio Memoriae Research Paper

...Poena cullei or punishment of the sack was normally the punishment for parricida (children who killed their parents) the age of which this specific punishment was not specified. Poena Cullei consisted of being sewn up in a leather sack, sometimes with an assortment of live animals, and then being thrown into water. The first identifiable case was about 100 BC although some scholars believe it may have developed about a century before. Inclusion of live animals in the sack was only documented from early Imperial times, with only snakes being originally mentioned. In the 2nd Century AD, at the time of Emperor Hadrian, the most well known form of Poena Cullei was where a cock, a dog, a monkey and a viper were inserted in the sack. With Hadrian it was made into an optional form but the other option was being thrown to the beasts. Well over 200 years later, Emperor Justinian reinstituted the punishment with the 4 animals, and Poena Cullei remained the statutory penalty for parricides within Byzantine law for the next 400 years. The person sentenced to such a penalty was first whipped or beaten with blood coloured rods. Although the Romans had many cruel and unusual punishments they still relied on a code of morals known as the mos...

Words: 809 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The Pantheon vs the Parthenon

...gods, the Parthenon was built in Ancient Greece for the goddess Athena. The Parthenon pre-dates the Pantheon by about six centuries; it was built around 447-438 BCE, while the Pantheon was built in 126 CE. The Pantheon was originally built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC, during this time he was part of the senate for the third time. The entire Pantheon was destroyed except for the facade, then Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it on the same site in 126 AD. The Parthenon was built during the Classical period between 447 and 438 BC by Iktinos and Kallikrates as a temple to Athens to honor the patron goddess, Athena. Romans were particularly skilled at concrete construction, and the Pantheon is the first temple to combine this technique with Greek classical orders. The 142-foot-diameter rotunda is the focal point of the building and reigned for nearly 2 millennia (until 1960) as the largest dome ever built. Today's Pantheon ("Temple of All the Gods") is not the original. Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon burned down in 80 AD, was rebuilt by Domitian, and again burned down in 110 AD. Emperor Hadrian completely restored the building in 126 AD. The Pantheon is the first temple to combine concrete construction, a technique in which the Romans were especially innovative with the more conservative, if not decorative use of Greek classical orders. Originally, the visitor approached the temple through a courtyard precinct, where the main altar was located. A colonnade on three sides of this...

Words: 918 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Roman Gladiator Research Paper

...Criminals that were already supposed to die usually exclaimed, “Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant!” The professional gladiators didn’t say this, however. The phrase meant “Hail, Emperor, those who are about to die salute you!” When a gladiator dropped, you could hear cries of “Habet, Hoc habet,” or, “Mitte,” and, “Iugala!” Usually the wounded gladiator would sit down his shield and raise his left index finger, this meant he was pleading for mercy. The audience would then tilt their thumbs, telling the people whether they wanted the gladiator to die. The emperor himself made the final decision. Sometimes, the audience would even hope that the lives of both gladiators were saved, if they thought both of them were good fighters. When the emperor was not there, the producer of the games would decide the fate of the gladiator. Winners were awarded with a crown and/or a palm branch, and the prize money as well as the money awarded by the audience. If the gladiator lived long enough to retire, they were awarded with a symbolic wooden sword as well. Losers were taken out through Porta Libitnesis to the spoliarium, where their armor and weapons were taken away and returned to the...

Words: 661 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

...Constantine had three great groin vaults over its central space with three barrel vaulted bays to each side. Structurally this organization allowed the semi circular barrel vaults and their support walls to provide lateral stability for the groin vaults. Finally the two apses terminated longitudinal and transverse axes. Pantheon, Rome, 118-128 CE Romans built temples largely on the basis of Greek and Etruscan precedents. The Romans did not build temples as isolated structures, but as axially approached buildings in an urban setting. The greatest circular plan Roman temple was the Pantheon. Its size, boldness, and technical accomplishments made the temple a memorable work. The pantheon was constructed during the reign of the emperor Hadrian. Hadrian is said to be the architect as well. The entrance is a really big portico with twenty Corinthian columns that originally supported roof trusses. This portico is awkwardly joined to the circular cella, a space 142 feet and six inches in diameter and 142 feet high. The bottom half of the cella is a cylinder on which rests a hemispherical dome, with a circular opening, twenty seven feet in diameter at the top to let in light and air. He cylinder cella is divided into two stories, a ground level Corinthian order of fluted columns and pilasters supporting an attic story with rectangular openings resembling windows set in a patterned marble wall. The lower story is varied by niches, alternately semi-circular and rectangular, set a quarter...

Words: 368 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

How Did The Barbarians Lead To The Fall Of Rome

...The emperor at the times was Diocletian, he decided to split the empire in to two sides and have two different emperors. This seemed to be a great idea because the government didn’t have to govern the full empire, but the two sides did not work together. The two empires did not help one another with the outside threats that began attacking and they wouldn’t share resources that one side of the empire needed. The western empire was struggling while the Eastern empire was flourishing. The city of Constantinople was well guarded and protected, but on the West side of the empire, the capitol city which was Rome was left vulnerable. During the 5th century, the western empires government began to decline. The western empire fell but the eastern empire lived on for almost another thousand years before they were...

Words: 724 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Why Was The Pantheon Built In Rome

...The Pantheon was built in Rome around the years of 118 to 128. It was built under the Emperor Hadrian. It was meant to be a temple dedicated to the twelve Olympian gods. The dome of The Pantheon was built using a hemispherical wooden form. Workers poured concrete into this form starting from the bottom and continuing to the top. The dome itself measured 142 ft. in diameter and 142 ft. tall from floor to the top of the dome (169). The Pantheon being supported by a cylindrical base was not the only thing that differentiated it from the Hagia Sophia. The Pantheon also had coffers on the inside of the dome. These recessed square panels helped to strengthen the dome as well as relieve some of the weight of the dome as well. There is also an oculus...

Words: 332 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Ceasarian

...Pax Romania: Age of Augustan Today, we have many resources of arts and buildings left over by Roman people. Most significantly, these resources handed over by Roman period was distinctively survived really long time, and people still think they have outstanding values for today’s studies. It brings me an attention to write this paper on the great Augustan period when it is better known for the Golden ages of Roman era. First empire begins with many civil wars within the empire by people of republicans and the great leaders like Julius Caesar. At the Caesarian time, people were greatly pleasured with wealth and strength of nation. However, when the many of nation’s senates set up an assassination of Caesar, and bring the nation back to republican nation, the nation, again, shakes in civil wars and fights amongst themselves. Therefore, heroic character rises into this chaotic time of Rome, C. Octavius. He is stepson of Caesar who was inherited in power by Caesar. By it means, people had much interest in him, and he was served in people’s favor. One fact that he is well known for many of his work in the beginning of Roman empire, I was driven to his life and accomplishments. “At a time when the whole world is still facing after-war prob-lems of rehabilitation, material and spiritual, and in the bewilder-ment of chaos needs light from every source, it occurred to me that it would be of value to review the great period of Roman reconstruction, the Augustan age, to see if from the...

Words: 2271 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Identity Theft

...The Roman Period Timeline of Roman Period Early History * 1000 BC - Latins begin to settle in Italy. * 753 BC - The city is allegedly founded in this year by Romulus and Remus. * 750 BC - Tarpeia besieges cities, and hands it over to the Sabines * 700 BC - Near Rome, the Etruscan civilization more or less begins. * 659 BC - The enemy city of Alba Longa is destroyed by the Romans. * 616 BC - The first Etruscan king of Rome, Tarquinius Priscus establishes a Forum and a Circus Maximus. * c.600 BC - Cloaca Maxima is probably first built around this year. * 578 BC - Servius Tullius becomes the next Etruscan king of Rome * 565 BC - Servian Walls are built. * 534 BC - King Servius is assassinated. * 510 BC - Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol is completed and consecrated. * 509 BC - Lucius Brutus founds the republic and expels the Etruscans and Tarquin the Proud from Rome. * 508 BC - A Treaty is made between Rome and Carthage. * 507 BC - The famous war against the Etruscans begins, featuring hero Horatio. Republic * 499 BC - A battle against foreign tribes commences, including the construction of the Temple of Castor and Pollux. * 396 BC - The Etruscan city of Veio is defeated by the Romans * 390 BC - Rome is sacked by the Gauls after the Battle of the Allia * 380 BC - The once destroyed Servian Wall is reconstructed. * 312 BC - The Via Appia and Aqua Appia are constructed. * 264 - 241 BC - First Punic...

Words: 2326 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Roman Slavery

...World History to 1500 8 October 2015 Writing Assignment #1: Roman Slavery According to Siculus in The History of the World, slaves were often utilized to operate the mines during the 1st Century BC in Ancient Rome. These slaves would spend their days and nights in the mineshafts, often wearing their bodies down. They usually weren’t given rest or break from their hard labor. The slaves were forced by the whiplashes of their overseers to undergo the most horrible of hardships. Many slaves died because of the extreme maltreatment they went through. Slaves often prayed for death rather than life because of the amount of suffering they were forced to go through. Slaves were treated as if they were objects rather than human beings. As stated on page 172 in Shelton, a slave’s owner would rent out the slaves for a certain period of time. The renter is required to have the slave with in their presence day and night. The renter must feed and provide the slave with other necessities. The only thing the owner needs to still provide the slave wen being rented is clothing. The slave will be given four days off a year and any more days off due to illness, festivals or a pressing necessity on the part of his or her master would be deducted from the rental fee. The rent is due at the end of the month without delay by monthly installments. One of the jobs of slaves in Rome was farming. On page 165 to 166 in Shelton, Varro breaks up farming instruments in three categories. Slaves are found...

Words: 1561 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Latin- Roman Emperor Facebook

...iungit. Labor: Regnans Roma Urbs: Roma Urbs Domestica: Roma Discedo pro Sabinis provincias. Redeam post paulo. Amo Annotamentum Amores Imagines De Publius Vergilius Maro October XII MMDCCLXV Facebook iungit. Ego sum laetissimus quod fundam habeo iterum! Amo Annotamentum Ego mirabile Amo Annotamentum Publius Vergilius Maro apud Maeceneas fuit. Amo Annotamentum Amo Annotamentum Amici et Familiae Augustus Maeceneas Horace Livia Publius Vergilius Maro Labor: Scribens Aeneid Urbs: Roma Urbs Domestica: Mantua De In this section put where your emperor lived, birthday, languages spoken, religious views, favorite quotations, and relationship status. Imagines Here place four photos that are related to your emperor. Only two of the...

Words: 591 - Pages: 3