Bright Summaries - Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide

The novel takes the form of a letter written by Hadrian to Marcus Aurelius, then aged 17. Hadrians goal is to examine his own mind and hold audience with his memories (p. 29).

Hadrian was born in Italica, Spain, but says that his first homelands [were] books (p. 40). His father dies when he is 12, and he is summoned to Rome by his guardian Acilius Attianus. He develops a love for Greece and spends several years there, but he is soon drawn to the power and wealth of Rome, saying that I have finally learned to accept myself (p. 49). In Rome, Hadrian gradually makes a name for himself.

Hadrian joins the legions fighting along the Danube and is made a commander. Meanwhile, Emperor Domitian (51-96) is assassinated and is succeeded by Nerva (30-98), who in turn is succeeded by his adopted son Trajan (53-117), Hadrians cousin, who favours expansionist policies. Although Trajan is initially somewhat hostile towards Hadrian, he gradually mellows towards him.

At the age of 28, Hadrian marries Sabina on the advice of Empress Plotina (died in 122), with whom he has a very close friendship. He never comes to truly love his wife, but he accepts her presence as a necessary part of life for someone of his rank.

After Trajans victory over the Dacians (the people of Dacia, a region located in present-day Romania), Hadrian, who has been made Governor of Pannonia (a region that borders the Danube), is sent to fight the Sarmatians (a nation that inhabited a region to the north of the Black Sea). Having restored order to the region and crushed his enemies, Hadrian imposes an austerity policy on his soldiers, who have been pillaging the countryside, to prevent a peasant uprising against the Roman army.

Trajan, who has fallen ill, continues pushing the borders of the Empire further to the east, even as a number of previously-conquered states rebel against the Roman invaders, plunging the Empire into a period of crisis. Meanwhile, Hadrian is having doubts about his future, but Trajan dies shortly afterwards and Hadrian, now aged 40, is chosen as his successor. He makes a triumphant return to Rome, where he is greeted by cheers and adulation.

Hadrian begins implementing new policies, aiming to bring peace to his realm through negotiation (Every transition from one reign to another involved its operations of mopping up, p. 94). Attianus eliminates the Emperors few known enemies, which allows peace to flourish in Rome. Hadrian then begins working towards improving his subjects quality of life (notably for slaves and women), and begins an intelligent reorganization of world economy (p. 106).

He also embarks on a number of voyages around Europe. He may be a foreigner in every land (p. 111), having been born in Spain, studied in Greece and constantly been on the move throughout his life, but he also notes that in no place did I feel myself a stranger ( ibid. ) because of the unified group of capable, loyal people accompanying him. In Bithynia, he meets a young man named Antinous, and falls in love with him: An intimacy gradually developed. He accompanied me thereafter in all my voyages, and the fabulous years began (p. 136). His happiness is compounded when he meets Arrian of Nicomedia (Greek historian and philosopher, 95-175) in Athens, and the two men develop a close friendship. In short, Hadrians Golden Age is in full swing.

He continues to rule over Germania and Britannia (present-day England, Wales and southern Scotland), and adopts the motto Tellus stabilita (stable ground), reflecting his own desire to bring peace to the world. He also establishes a permanent peace treaty with the Parthian Empire (a nation which inhabited present-day Iran) and immerses himself in the study of astronomy. He completely rebuilds the Pantheon in Rome, enshrining his name in the list of ancient Roman triumphs that are celebrated during the citys annual festival. At the age of 44, he is lauded and deified.

But little by little the light changed (p. 149), and his relationship with Antinous begins to deteriorate. After commissioning some construction work in Jerusalem, Hadrian travels to Alexandria with his loved ones, and Antinous opts to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Nile rather than allowing himself to be ravaged by age. Hadrian is overwhelmed by grief, and he decides to found the city of Antinoopolis (present-day Egypt) in homage to his young favourite.

From then on, Hadrian throws himself into his role as emperor with ever-increasing dedication. He oversees the governing of Antinoopolis and works towards the emergence of an educated middle class in Asia Minor. He builds a new library in Athens and grants the city a new constitution, while also pursuing his own intellectual and spiritual education. He develops an interest in Christianity, and discusses the precepts of the faith with his friend Arrian.