The ancient city of Perge, located on the coast of southern Asia Minor in the Roman province of Pamphylia, provides a fascinating case study of elite benefaction in the Roman East. In Perge, Roman euergetism was common, with wealthy individuals contributing a portion of their wealth to their community. Affluent citizens funded public buildings, meals,… Continue reading Plancia Magna and the role of a Roman benefactress in Perge
In the late spring of AD 125, after visiting Delphi and possibly spending some time in Dyrrachium (see here), Hadrian set sail to return to Rome, having completed a four-year journey across the western and eastern provinces. However, instead of sailing directly to Rome and embarking for Brundisium, he chose to sail to Sicily. This… Continue reading Late Spring AD 125 – Hadrian visits Sicily to climb Mount Etna and returns to Rome (#Hadrian1900)
Four years had passed since Hadrian last saw Rome, and it was time for him to return home. In the spring of AD 125, the Emperor departed from Athens and began his journey northward to the Adriatic port of Dyrrachium. Along the way, Hadrian visited Boeotia and Phocis, where he dedicated a bear skin to… Continue reading Spring AD 125 – Hadrian travels to Boeotia and Phocis and visits Delphi (#Hadrian1900)
After touring the Peloponnese and visiting all the major cities (read here), Hadrian returned to Athens in late March, in time for the Great Dionysia. He presided over this annual Athenian religious festival dedicated to Dionysus (HA Hadr. 13.1), while wearing Greek attire (Dio 69.16.1), and funded its expenses. He also restored the Theatre of Dionysus… Continue reading Late March AD 125 – Hadrian returns to Athens and presides over the Great Dionysia (#Hadrian1900)
Hadrian spent much of the winter of 124/125 touring the Peloponnese, visiting all the major cities and providing benefactions to them. The first part of his journey took him to Megara, Athens' old adversary, then to Epidaurus, Argos and Mantineia (see here). The Emperor then continued southward to the renowned city of Sparta before returning… Continue reading Winter AD 124/5 – Hadrian tours the Peloponnese (part 2) and visits Sparta and Corinth (#Hadrian1900)
After attending the Eleusinian Mysteries (see here), Hadrian embarked on a brief tour of the Peloponnese with his wife, Sabina. The Emperor's presence in several renowned cities during this period is well-documented, although no exact dates have been recorded. Wherever the imperial court went, cities benefited from the Emperor's generosity, as his desire was, among other… Continue reading Winter AD 124/5 – Hadrian tours the Peloponnese (part 1) and visits Megara, Argos and Mantineia (#Hadrian1900)
Happy 1949th birthday, Hadrian! In keeping with tradition, I made a birthday cake for Hadrian. This time, I decided to bake a Roman honey cake.. 🎂 Ingredients: 3 eggs 200 grams liquid honey 50 grams spelt flour Instructions: Whip eggs with an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat them until they are… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Hadriane! 🎂
Earlier this year, the Mouseia of Villa Adriana hosted an exhibition dedicated to the portraits of Emperor Hadrian. Titled "Io Sono Una Forza Del Passato: Adriano, i ritratti" ("I Am a Force of the Past: Hadrian's Portraits"), this exhibition presented, for the first time, all forms of Hadrian's imperial representation. It featured nine portraits of… Continue reading The Eight Faces of Hadrian in Tivoli
Eleven years had passed since Hadrian last visited Athens. During his stay there, in his mid-thirties, he became an Athenian citizen, enrolled in the tribe of Besa, and served as archon (IG II² 2024) before departing to join Trajan's Parthian campaign in the East. He may have visited several cities besides Athens, but we have no… Continue reading Autumn AD 124 – Hadrian arrives in Athens and attends the Eleusinian Mysteries (#Hadrian1900)
After Pergamon and Sardis (see here), two other great cities of western Asia had their turn to receive Hadrian and his party, Smyrna and Ephesus. Both metropoleis were perennial rivals, competing with each other for first place in the province and the granting of the acclaimed title of neokoros. Travelling with Hadrian was one of… Continue reading Summer AD 124 – Hadrian tours Asia (part 3), visits Smyrna and Ephesus and sails to Athens (#Hadrian1900)
