Notes on Hadrian, Monuments, and Portraiture

Class Overview

  • Course: Roman Art and Archaeology
  • Instructor: Dr. Craig Harvey
  • Date: March 6th, 2025
  • Quiz Reminder: Quiz 3 scheduled for March 11th.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the class, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss and assess the portraiture of Hadrian and his wife Sabina.
  2. Identify and discuss the significance of monuments built in Rome and the provinces during Hadrian's reign.

Key Figures

Hadrian (117-138 CE)
  • Full Name: Publius Aelius Hadrianus
  • Adopted as heir by Trajan on his deathbed.
  • Born in Italica, Spain.
  • Known for being a philhellene, emphasizing Greek culture.
  • Multifaceted: intellectual, author, and architect.
  • Undertook extensive travels throughout the empire.
  • Notable Artwork: Bronze statue located at Tel Shalem, Israel from around 135 CE.
Sabina
  • Wife of Hadrian, noted for a rejection of the elaborate hairstyles by previous empresses.
  • Showcases a classicizing visage.
  • Use of veil and diadem similar to goddess depictions.
  • Art example: Portrait from Ostia, circa 135 CE.
Antinous
  • Lover and companion of Hadrian who drowned in the Nile during Hadrian’s visit to Egypt.
  • Represented in various forms, such as:
    • As Apollo in Delphi, Greece (130-138 CE)
    • As Bacchus in Tivoli (130-138 CE).

Key Monuments

The Pantheon
  • Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, completed after 126 CE.
  • Designed to replace an earlier Augustan temple.
  • Features:
    • Monolithic columns from Egypt, each 40 Roman feet tall.
    • Monumental dome with oculus – largest dome in the world until the Renaissance.
  • Original bronze doors remain preserved due to transformation into a church in 609 CE.
Hadrian’s Wall
  • Known as Vallum Hadriani, stretching 120 km with 14-17 fortifications.
  • Construction lasted over 6 years, initiated in 122 CE.
  • Intended as a show of strength and to control movement along the northern frontier.
Hadrian’s Villa, Tivoli
  • A sprawling complex that includes architecturally sophisticated buildings inspired by various cultures from across the Roman Empire.
  • Features notable areas like the Teatro Marittimo and Canopus.
Other Notable Structures
  • Arch of Hadrian: An entryway in Athens, commemorating his contribution to the city, built in 131/2 CE.
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus: Completed in 131 CE

Quiz Details (for preparation)

  • Topics: Key terms, key images, unseen image.
  • Sample Questions:
    • Which emperor does this portrait depict? Explain your reasoning.
    • From which monument does this relief originate? Explain your reasoning.
  • Study the significance of Hadrian's impact on architecture and culture in both Rome and the provinces.