The Arch of Hadrian, Broocks Wilson

Hadrian as a precursor to da Vinci  Hadrian originally made a name for himself as legate and consul of the modern day Balkans.  He was adopted as the son Emperor Trajan on Trajan’s deathbed, and acceded to the Emperorship upon Trajan’s death in 117. He ruled until his own death in 138.  Hadrian was known as a “renaissance man” because he was well versed in the arts and even wrote poetry and philosophy.

Hadrian the Traveler  Hadrian did not spend all of his emperorship in Rome or fighting foreigners like most emperors before him. Instead he travelled around his empire, inspecting legions in the field and granting gifts to provinces.  Hadrian went on three tours, from , and from The place that he visited most often and spent the most time at was Greece, almost always finding a way to incorporate the country into his travel plans.

Hadrian and Athens Begin their Courtship  Hadrian had developed a special relationship with Athens long before he became emperor.  Hadrian’s philosophical and literary studies developed a within him a deep love and respect for Classical Athens.  Hadrian was elected as an Athenian citizen and archon in 112. During his time in Athens he immersed himself within the city's culture and heritage, further deepening his bond with the city.

Hadrian and Athens Sitting in a Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G  Once Hadrian became emperor he lavished attention upon Athens. He spent more time in Athens during his emperorship than in any other city save Rome.  In 124 Hadrian made his first stop in Athens and the Athenians established a new tribe bearing his name.  The following year Hadrian again visited Athens on his way out, this time initiating the most substantial building program since Pericles, including temples a library, a gymnasium and a large aqueduct. He also finished the building of the Olympieion and restored the Pnyx and the Theater of Dionysius.

Thanks for finishing that Hadrian, it was sort of awkward having a huge half built temple standing in our city for 650 years.

To show our gratitude, we’ll dedicate an awesome arch to you.

It’s Business, It’s Business Time Hadrian spent the winter in Athens in order to dedicate the Olympieion. Although it is not definite whether it was the Athenians or Hadrian who commissioned the arch, most speculation points to its being built by the Athenians for three reasons. – 1) Different design than most Roman triumphal arches. – 2) Quality of material doesn’t compare to Hadrian’s buildings. – 3) Similar arches built by Greeks found at Eleusis.

Location, Location, Location The arch was built on the road that connected central Athens to southeastern Athens, which was variously termed “Roman Athens” and “Hadrianoupolis.” The arch was built very close to Olympaieon (70 feet) and somewhat close to the Acropolis (1200 feet).

The Inscriptions There are two inscriptions on the arch, one on the northeast side (old Athens) and one on the southeast side (Roman Athens). The inscription facing old Athens reads “This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus” The inscription facing Roman Athens reads “This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus.”

The Meaning of the Inscriptions The inscriptions have been interpreted to have various meanings. – The most popular interpretation takes the meaning literally, that the side facing the northwest (Old Athens) is the city that was founded by Theseus and that the side facing the southeast (Roman Athens) is the city that was Roman was credited to Hadrian. – Another interpretation that has gained currency in recent times is that Theseus originally founded the city but that Hadrian is re-founding the city.

The Architecture The Arch is made of the same Pentelic marble that the other famous Athenian monuments are made from. However, there are considerably more blemishes on the marble used for the arch than on other Athenian monuments. The Arch stands 18m high, is 13.5m wide and has 2.5m of depth. It is a two level structure.

Level One (The Basement, Boring)  The First level has only a passageway which is 6.5m wide.  There are two sets of Corinthian pilasters on the first level, one immediately next to the passageway and one on the outside of the first level.  Originally, there were Corinthian columns on either side of the passageway.  Squared stones used in between the pilasters.  Projecting Ionic cornices.

Level Two (The Attic, Interesting) The upper level was separated into three openings by Corinthian pilasters with projecting ionic cornices in the same manner as the lower level. The two pilasters enclosing the opening directly above the passageway were connected to Corinthian half-columns which supported a projecting triangular pediment. The opening directly above the passageway was originally closed off by a 7 cm thick stone.

Breaking from the Norm  Although many Roman triumphal arches have been well preserved the Arch of Hadrian because of its understated size and lack of sculptural depictions and elaborate honorary inscriptions on the second level is different from a typical Roman triumphal arch.

Reeling in the Years  First, and only, full archeological study recorded by James Stuart and Nicholas Revett during mid-18 th century for their work, The Antiques of Athens.  When first recorded had only been buried about 3 feet deep (about 1/16 of total size) and so remained in excellent condition. It remains at its full height and is missing only the first level columns and the stone that closed off the second level opening directly above the passageway.

Bibliography  The Archaeology of Athens, John McK. Camp, p  Art History, Marilyn Stokstad    “The Arch of Hadrian at Athens,” The Greek Renaissance in the Roman Empire, A. Adams, p  “Some Attic Inscriptions,” Hesperia no. 39, Eugene Vanderpool, p  Hadrian’s Panhellenic Program, Dietrich Willers