Happy 1942nd birthday, Hadrian! I decided to cook Cato's Globi (Pastry Balls) as Hadrian's birthday cake this year. 🎂 Globi (original recipe from LacusCurtius): Mix the cheese and spelt in the same way (as Libum), sufficient to make the number desired. Pour lard into a hot copper vessel, and fry one or two at a… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Hadriane! 🎂
2017 was a very special year for me as the year marked the 1900th anniversary of the accession of Hadrian to the imperial throne and the start of my Hadrian 1900 project. I travelled to 9 countries, visited 57 new archaeological sites, 21 new archaeological museums and attended 4 exhibitions. Here’s an overview of my… Continue reading My 2017 travel round-up
The Aquincum Museum, located in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is currently hosting an exhibition dedicated to Hadrian to commemorate his accession to the throne 1,900 years ago. The exhibition, part of Aquincum's "Hadrian's Year 2017" program, is being hosted in the old museum building located in the centre of the Archaeological Park.… Continue reading Exhibition: ‘Hadrianus MCM – History of an Ancient Career’ in Budapest (#Hadrian1900)
On 9 August AD 117, Trajan's letter of adoption (litteras adoptionis) was made public when it reached Hadrian in Antioch. Hadrian was now Caesar. As mentioned earlier (see here), there had been some uncertainty about whether Trajan had adopted Hadrian as his son and successor before his death or if Plotina staged the adoption. The… Continue reading 9 August AD 117 – Trajan’s letter of adoption reaches Hadrian (#Hadrian1900)
On 8 August AD 117, after a 19-year reign of military glory, Emperor Trajan died at the coastal town of Selinus in western Cilicia (present-day Gazipaşa, about 180 km East of Antalya on the southern coast of Turkey). According to Cassius Dio, Trajan fell seriously ill after an unsuccessful siege of the Mesopotamian city of… Continue reading 8 August AD 117 – Trajan dies at Selinus (#Hadrian1900)
On the eastern tip of the Rodopou Peninsula in West Crete are the scanty remains of a temple dedicated to the Cretan goddess Diktynna (Diktynnaion). Diktynna was the virgin goddess of hunting, worshipped fervently in western Crete as the patroness of hunters and fishermen. Diktynna's name may be connected with Mount Dikte, but the Greek… Continue reading The Hadrianic Temple of Diktynna in Crete
The Acropolis Museum in Athens celebrated the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian's accession with the presentation of an exquisite portrait of the Emperor found on Syngrou Avenue and an interesting video showcasing the Emperor's immense building program in Athens. The presentation ran from 15 January to 31 March 2017. Hadrian was a dedicated philhellene who admired… Continue reading Hadrian at the Acropolis Museum of Athens
Art has always been an important part of human existence. Over time, individuals have taken great pleasure from beautiful things and sought to acquire lavish personal collections. The first known cases of individuals seeking to accumulate art collections were in Hellenistic Greece more than 2,000 years ago. The Attalids are usually considered the first art… Continue reading A head of Hadrian from a private art collection on show at Musée du Quai Branly in Paris
Happy 1941st birthday, Hadrian! For this year’s birthday cake, I chose to cook Apicius’s recipe for Patina versatilis vice dulcis (nut omelette). 🎂 Patina versatilis vice dulcis (recipe from LacusCurtius): Pignolia nuts, chopped or broken nuts (other varieties), are cleaned, roasted and crushed with honey. Mix in and beat well pepper, broth, milk, eggs, a… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Hadriane! 🎂
While Hadrian was visiting the province of Egypt in late AD 130, his beloved companion, Antinous, drowned in the Nile River in mysterious circumstances. This tragic event led to the creation of a new divinity: Osirantinous, or Antinous, as a manifestation of Osiris, the god who dies and is reborn. One of our best sources… Continue reading The Obelisk of Antinous
