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Low born and never achieving political sway over any realm, Antinous (111-130 AD) nonetheless proved one of the ancient world’s most legendary figures. His most notable asset was his good looks, an exquisite beauty that invoked the fervent adoration of both sexes. Antinous was the ancient world’s premier male supermodel.
Antinous hailed from Bithynia, renowned for Hellenistic sensibilities long after its bequeathal to Rome by her very last King, Nikomedes IV Philopator, famously rumored to be Julius Caesar’s lover. Touring the region around 123 AD, Emperor Hadrian’s entourage selected Antinous as a promising candidate for the imperial retinue. The young boy was sent off to Italy for further education and grooming, his body and manners honed to perfection. Thus, he was molded into the ultimate companion for the demanding, restlessly inquisitive Augustus. The latter, who spent much of his reign touring the Empire, returned to Italy in 125 AD and sometime over the next several years developed a profound relationship with, as many historians are wont to say, Hadrian’s favorite.
While repugnant in modern context, pederasty was not unusual in ancient times, dating to the fable of Hyacinth, Apollo’s youthful male lover, eventually killed by the jealous Zephyr. It was one of the many aspects of Eros, the Greeks’ multifaceted and complex concept of love and god devoted to the same, and thus bore religious significance, as related in Plato’s
Phaedrus and
Symposium. The elder man in such a relationship, the
erastes, faithfully supported his typically teenaged significant other, the
eromenos, and took responsibility for his training and development. In return, the
eromenos devoted himself to the tutelage and service of his
erastes. Such an arrangement provided a mutually beneficial bond not found within the usual family structure. Moreover, it served as a mechanism for young boys’ advancement from an adolescent focus on gymnasia to their initiation into male-dominated Greek society.
Rome lacked Greece’s cultural focus for young men on athleticism. For example, many Senators scoffed at Nero’s eclectic Neronia. Thus, pederasty never gained an institutional or religious aspect, although some Roman men reportedly engaged in it, including Hadrian’s adoptive father, Emperor Trajan. Trajan’s bisexual behavior – considered normal among Roman aristocrats - brought neither scandal nor dishonor to the imperium. The Augustus’ virility and valor remained unquestioned, and he always dignified and honored his beloved wife, Empress Plotina. The situation was very different regarding Emperor Hadrian, who endured an unhappy marriage with Empress Sabina for decorum’s sake. His true passion was the mysteries of Hellas. It is no wonder that the beautiful youth Antinous was a perfect match for Hadrian, fulfilling not only physical, but also his emotional and spiritual needs.
An area of particular fervor was the pair's shared love of the hunt. More than a mere test of strength and valor, it was an opportunity for the two young men to experience the thrills of their interdependence and their environment in the life-and-death pursuit of prey. Rooted in the Hellenistic fables of Artemis and Orion, hunting in the ancient world bore moral and religious significance; today, such notions exist merely as an echo. For Antinous and Hadrian, their most famous hunt was in pursuit of a fierce Marousian lion. The Emperor saved Antinous’ life during the leonine luctation, as boasted in surviving poems and medallions.
Besides hunting, Antinous also accompanied Hadrian in exploring the eastern realms. They attended the annual celebration of the Great Mysteries of Eleusis in Athens. After receiving initiation in the great hall of Telesterion, the pair continued their sojourn into Syria, Arabia, Judea, and finally Egypt, where they paid homage at Alexander the Great’s sarcophagus. Although the imperial entourage was welcomed publicly, there was evidence of growing discontent and gossip regarding Antinous’ relationship with the Emperor.
It is quite possible that the youth found this public scrutiny, combined with his lover’s intense passion, overwhelming. It has been suggested that such pressures factored in Antinous’ demise, which occurred in 130 AD while the imperial flotilla sailed down Egypt’s fabled Nile River. While the cause of death was certainly drowning, the exact circumstances remain a mystery. Theories range from an accidental fall to murder by a jealous rival. One hypothesis is that an emotionally distraught Antinous sacrificed himself for his Emperor, perhaps in response to an oracle predicting impending doom otherwise. Intriguingly, Antinous’ death corresponded to the Festival of Osiris, wherein Egyptians traditionally sacrificed boys to the Nile, ensuring favorable floods and good agricultural production.
Like many denizens of the ancient world, Hadrian deeply mourned his beloved. He deified Antinous, founding the new city of Antinopolis in his honor. The world's newest cult spread rapidly, consistent with the Emperor's desire to promote pan-Hellenism. Hadrian even lifted his former love to the heavens, assigning a constellation in Antinous' name (a designation that lasted nearly two millennia, until the International Astronomical Union formalized the naming of constellations).
Coins were also struck coins in Antinous' honor, including this majestic Alexandrian drachm dating from 134-135 AD. Antinous adorns both side of the flan: the obverse depicts his' draped bust wearing a hem–hem crown, and the reverse features him on horseback, in the guise of Hermes, holding a caduceus while his cloak billows behind him.
Hadrian also established festivals and athletic games to honor Antinous' memory. These Antinoeia, held annually for centuries in prominent cities such as Antinopolis and Athens, celebrated not only human athleticism, but also artistic and musical talents. Over time, the cult of Antinous fell under criticism, and faded away along with many other religions considered blasphemies in the wake of Christianity’s rise. Even so, Antinous’ popularity has endured to this day. His persona perseveres, whether on ancient coins, sculptures and temple ruins, or modern fictional works by the likes of Victor Hugo, Fernando Pessoa, and Oscar Wilde.
Additional Reading:
Beloved and God. The Story of Hadrian and Antinous, R. Lambert, 1996.
Coin Details: EGYPT, Alexandria, Antinoüs, Died AD 130, Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.77 g, 12h), Dated RY 19 of Hadrian (AD 134/135), NGC Grade: Ch F, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing hem–hem crown, Reverse: Antinoüs, cloaked and holding caduceus, on horseback right, L/[IΘ] (date) to right and below raised foreleg, References: Köln 1275-6 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 2081-2; K&G 34a.1; Blum 5; Emmet 1346.19.