In the first episode of Season 4 Sebastian looks at the historical reputation of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian has been celebrated as one of Rome’s “five good emperors”, but is that reputation actually deserved? Hadrian’s reputation is complicated by the mysterious death of his teenage lover, Antinous. What should we believe about this strange chapter in the life of one of Rome’s most celebrated emperors? Tune in and find out how radical beards, fantastical walls, and ancient man-love all play a role in the story.

Works Cited

Cocceianus, Cassius Dio, et al. Dio’s Roman History. Harvard University Press, 1980.

Everitt, Anthony. Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2010.

Hausrath, Adolf, and Mary J. Safford. Antinous; a Romance of Ancient Rome. W.S. Gottsberger, 1882.

“The History of Rome.” The History of Rome, thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/.

Lambert, Royston. Beloved and God: the Story of Hadrian and Antinous. Phoenix Giant, 1997.

Morgan, Julian. Hadrian: Consolidating the Empire. Rosen Central, 2003.