AND
ANTINOUS
Hadrian, above, and
Antinous, left
Historia Augusta
In 123, most likely while Hadrian was on one of his many trips to all corners of his Empire, he came to the attention of the Emperor. At the time there was nothing unusual about men having sexual relationships with teenage boys and so no eyebrows were raised when the young Antinous became the Emperor's companion and followed him to the Imperial Court in Rome.
The relationship between Hadrian and Antinous grew into something more than the at the time socially acceptable relationship between an older man and a teenager as Antinous matured into a young man.
By all accounts the two lovers were extraordinarly close, sharing the same bed and their lives. Antinuous began to accompany the Emperor not just in private, but also to important state events. It was clear that Antinuous was the great love of Hadrian's life. The Empress, whilst still remaining the Emperor's legal wife, had become irrelevant.
By all accounts the trip turned out to be somewhat of an ordeal for the travelling Imperial Court. The Emperor's health problems at the time had become a concern for those close to him. It is speculated that his poor health was the reason for Hadrian, who was generally regarded as a fair and competent ruler, badly mishandling the always difficult political situation in Judea. By the time the Emperor and Antinous arrived in Egypt in October 130 AD a sense of gloom had descended on Hadrian and his entourage.
The prevailing economic situation in Egypt at the time of the Emperor's arrival was perilous. For two seasons in a row, the Nile, on whose annual flooding the country depended for its survival, had failed to flood properly. One more bad season would mean famine and economic chaos.
Hadrian and Antinous travelled along the Nile from Alexandria towards Upper Egypt. By all accounts the Emperor's spirits improved during their journey up the river. His health was even good enough to accompany his lover on a hunting trip, one of their favourite pasttimes. It was during the hunt that Antinous came perilously close to being killed by a lion. Only Hadrian's skill as a hunter saved his life.
What happened next is not entirely clear. The circumstances surrounding Antinous' death are shrouded in mystery and there are few reliable facts.