Hadrian: Empire and Conflict - Softcover

Opper, T

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674057422 ISBN 13: 9780674057425

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2010

Synopsis

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."

About this title

Review:

[An] excellent and lavishly illustrated book...Highly recommended and astonishing value for money.--Andrew Jack"culturekiosque.com" (10/26/2008)

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" (05/01/2009)

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" (09/15/2008)

About the Author:

Thorsten Opper is a curator at the British Museum specializing in Greek and Roman sculpture.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0674057422
• ISBN 13: 9780674057425
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224