TV-Series
Description
Emperor Hadrian, known in the anime as Hadrianus, is the reigning Roman Emperor during the events of Thermae Romae, which is set in the first half of the second century during his historical rule from 117 to 138 AD. He is depicted as the 14th Roman Emperor and the third of the Five Good Emperors. The character is shown to be a cosmopolitan leader with a strong preference for culture and art over military expansion, wishing to maintain peace throughout the empire rather than ruling through war. He is generally described in a favorable light, with any potentially negative traits being understated by the creator. The portrayal is notably influenced by the novel Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar, which puts a strong emphasis on the emperor's psychology.
Hadrian favors the development of new bathhouses, or thermae, as a means of keeping the peace and ensuring the well-being of the Roman people. This philosophy aligns with the central ideological message of the story, which presents baths as a determining agent of peace. His motivations stem from a desire for a stable and culturally rich Rome, leading him to seek out and employ talented individuals who can contribute to this vision. This is why he commissions the protagonist, Lucius Quintus Modestus, initially to build a private thermae and subsequently for more bath projects, propelling Lucius from a frustrated architect to a celebrated figure in Rome.
Within the story, Hadrian serves as a powerful patron and a key figure who recognizes and elevates Lucius's innovative work, which is inspired by time-travel visits to modern Japanese bathhouses. The emperor's interest in Lucius's creations adds a layer of political and social significance to the protagonist's architectural endeavors. Hadrian's role also extends to the political future of Rome, as he selects Lucius Aurelius Caesar as his successor with the specific goal of eventually having Marcus Annius Verus (the future Emperor Marcus Aurelius) come to power.
Hadrian has several important relationships that define his character. He is a mentor and patron to Lucius, whose work he admires and supports. He is also connected to the young man Antinous, whose tragic death in the Nile River is a source of profound sorrow and nostalgia for the emperor. In some adaptations, Hadrian keeps crocodiles as pets in his palace in Alexandria, with one said to embody the reincarnation of Antinous, highlighting the deep personal loss he feels. He also interacts with his slaves; his reaction to his pet crocodiles biting them is presented as darkly humorous, reflecting a casual attitude toward the institution of slavery that was common for his time. In terms of development, while consistently portrayed as a wise and peace-seeking ruler, the character's depth is explored through his psychological complexity and his personal grief, which adds layers beyond his public persona as emperor. Among his notable abilities are his political acumen in selecting and nurturing talent, his strategic vision for the empire that prioritizes cultural development and peace, and his capacity for deep emotional attachment as seen in his mourning for Antinous.
Hadrian favors the development of new bathhouses, or thermae, as a means of keeping the peace and ensuring the well-being of the Roman people. This philosophy aligns with the central ideological message of the story, which presents baths as a determining agent of peace. His motivations stem from a desire for a stable and culturally rich Rome, leading him to seek out and employ talented individuals who can contribute to this vision. This is why he commissions the protagonist, Lucius Quintus Modestus, initially to build a private thermae and subsequently for more bath projects, propelling Lucius from a frustrated architect to a celebrated figure in Rome.
Within the story, Hadrian serves as a powerful patron and a key figure who recognizes and elevates Lucius's innovative work, which is inspired by time-travel visits to modern Japanese bathhouses. The emperor's interest in Lucius's creations adds a layer of political and social significance to the protagonist's architectural endeavors. Hadrian's role also extends to the political future of Rome, as he selects Lucius Aurelius Caesar as his successor with the specific goal of eventually having Marcus Annius Verus (the future Emperor Marcus Aurelius) come to power.
Hadrian has several important relationships that define his character. He is a mentor and patron to Lucius, whose work he admires and supports. He is also connected to the young man Antinous, whose tragic death in the Nile River is a source of profound sorrow and nostalgia for the emperor. In some adaptations, Hadrian keeps crocodiles as pets in his palace in Alexandria, with one said to embody the reincarnation of Antinous, highlighting the deep personal loss he feels. He also interacts with his slaves; his reaction to his pet crocodiles biting them is presented as darkly humorous, reflecting a casual attitude toward the institution of slavery that was common for his time. In terms of development, while consistently portrayed as a wise and peace-seeking ruler, the character's depth is explored through his psychological complexity and his personal grief, which adds layers beyond his public persona as emperor. Among his notable abilities are his political acumen in selecting and nurturing talent, his strategic vision for the empire that prioritizes cultural development and peace, and his capacity for deep emotional attachment as seen in his mourning for Antinous.