Hadrian
In Hadrian, Anthony R. Birley brilliantly uses new evidence to chronicle the fascinating life of a man who, while broken and hated at his death, nevertheless left an indelible stamp on the Roman Empire. Birley shows how Hadrian brazenly abandoned his predecessor Trajan's eastern conquests, constructed new demarcation lines in Germany, North Africa, and most famously Hadrian's Wall in Britain, to limit the expansion of the Empire. Hadrian portrayed himself as a second Augustus, and, unlike most Roman emperors, acted rather than reacted. He promoted the "Greek Renaissance" extravagantly, but his attempt to Hellenize the Jews had disastrous consequences. Birley also explores Hadrian's dramatic personal life, including his tragic love affair with the young Antinous, whose death in the Nile caused speculation of suicide and even sacrifice.