The Library of Hadrian was built at the behest of the Emperor Hadrian in 132 A.D. Hadrian was a lover of Greece and Greek culture and visited Greece at least three times during his reign: 124 A.D., 128 A.D., and 130 A.D (he traveled significantly throughout his reign, a difference from his predecessors). The library was designed, literally as a library (not just a pretty name) along with a series of lecture halls.
Entering the library (it had a single entrance):
Sadly, the library struggled: after its completion in 132 A.D., it lasted a little over 100 years years until it was burned in the invasion of the Herculi in 267 A.D. It was formally repaired in the 5th Century A.D., but in Byzantine times lost its library functions as three separate Byzantine churches were built there over time.
Library built two years after his last visit, wonder what politics happened in that process? And what cost overruns there were?
ReplyDeleteNylon12, sadly this was not the era of the Athenian Democracy and the accountability tablets of costs that were posted on the Acropolis to publicly disclose the costs. Under the Principate, one just "did things" out of the privy purse or general taxes.
DeleteInterestingly, Hadrian was considered one of the "good Emperors", although not by the Roman Senate when, after assuming power, he executed four of their number. To those who benefitted from the library, I am sure they were willing to overlook this slight inconvenience.
A lot of interesting history. Thank you, TB.
ReplyDeleteYou all be safe and God bless.
You are more than welcome, Linda!
DeleteA library with a pool in the middle. Who would have thought that? It sounds pretty appealing during this heat wave.
ReplyDeleteEd, it does - and it would also make a lot of sense to get some kind of evaporative cooling. Athens in Summer is rather warm.
DeleteSo this is the same Hadrian who is credited for Hadrian's Wall. I wonder if he commissioned a lot of building projects.
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me sad to read that an ancient library suffered fire. Such a loss, especially in a time before mass production of books was possible. I always wonder what treasures were lost forever.
Leigh, it was and he did. He traveled extensively throughout the Empire, something of a novelty for Emperors of the time.
DeleteIOddly enough, we have some idea of what we might have lost. Ancient authors refer to other works of authors which we no longer have; and Diogenes Laertius' Books Lives of Ancient Philosophers lists books by all sorts of philosophers that we have no record of.
As a side note, I worry that as we put more and more onto the InterWeb alone, we will find ourselves in the same position.
While the earlier pictures of the ruins are fascinating, seeing these ancient ruins right up against (comparatively) modern buildings is very interesting. To think that that is just a normal sight for all the people who live and work there, walking by, carrying on as usual.
ReplyDelete