Summary

From 76 AD - 138 AD, Hadrian was ruler of the Roman Empire. Born and raised in Spain and educated in Greece, Hadrian was appointed governor of Syria by Trajan. Hadrian used the Roman army to preserve peace rather than expand the empire; promoted trade and the arts. Hadrian was deeply affected by his homosexual attachment to Antinous. Author Marguerite Yourcenar struggled with this historical fiction over 25 years before its publication.