Memoirs of Hadrian (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Marguerite Yourcenar
- First Published: 1951
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Historical realism
- Time of Work: Second century
- Setting: Rome and the Roman Empire
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Historical fiction, Character study
- Subjects: Power, personal or social, Gay men, Homosexuality or homosexuals, Leadership, Adultery, Rulers, Politicians, Soldiers, Life, philosophy of, Greek or Roman times, Biography, Rome, Heads of state, Paganism, Second century
- Locales: Athens, ancient, Roman Empire, Rome, ancient
Characters Discussed
Hadrian (HAY-dree-uhn), formally known as Publius Aelius Hadrianus, the Roman emperor. Knowing that his death is fast approaching, Hadrian sets down in the most truthful manner possible the important events of his sixty years, along with his meditations on politics, the arts, and the world. Beginning with his Roman schooling, he sees the beauty of philosophy, grammar, and poetry, and their applicability to human affairs. In Rome, he learns Greek and is thus opened to another world and what he sees as an almost perfect mode of thinking and being. He climbs...
[The entire page is 1298 words long]
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