Hadrian at the British Museum
Every English child grows up knowing that Hadrian built a wall to keep the Scots out.
But very rarely do we learn anything more about Hadrian. In fact, he’s a fascinating character – a very complex man who left his mark on the city of Rome and on the Roman world.
He didn’t just build the famous wall. He also built boundary defences in North Africa and Germany. He built a new forum and a wonderful set of markets in Rome, and restored Agrippa’s Pantheon. He was interested in architecture – bringing some ideas from the Hellenistic east – and was one of the greatest patrons of any Roman emperor.
He married into the imperial family to ensure his succession. But the love of his life was a Greek boy called Antinous. After his lover drowned, Hadrian had him made into a god. (Though some say that Hadrian had a hand in the drowning – whether for political reasons or out of jealousy.)
Personally, I think you won’t get the best idea of Hadrian’s legacy out of a museum exhibition. Visit Rome, or visit the Wall, and you’ll get much more feeling for the sheer power of the man. But this exhibition does justice to the more private side of the emperor, and it’s already led to some interesting discoveries – including the fact that the head and body of a ‘Hadrian’ that’s been in the museum over a hundred years actually belonged to two separate statues.
So maybe not an exhibition for those who just want to gawp. But definitely one for anybody who has an interest in knowing how and why the Roman Empire took over practically the whole world of its day – or acquainting themselves with the complex character who was the emperor Hadrian.
Where: The British Museum
When: till 26 October; 10-1730
How much: £12 adults (£10 concessions)
Photo credit – Sebastien Bertrand on flickr
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