Emperor Hadrian

Hadrian (rul. 117–738 CE) put a stop to the expansionist policy of conquest of his predecessor Trajan. Hadrian focussed on consolidating Roman dominance within the empire and administrating the provinces. He travelled extensively throughout most of the empire, and the eastern provinces in particular, which were strongly influenced by Greek cultural traditions. As in portraits of other Roman emperors, portraits of Hadrian adhere to certain established conventions. The Berlin head, which was only fitted into a bronze bust some time in the modern era, is one of the best examples of the type of portrait in which the emperor’s hair forms a double row of curly locks over the forehead from ear to ear. Clear wrinkles on the forehead, nose and in particular around the eyes are testament to the highly realistic quality of this portrait, which is unsurpassed in all other portraits of Hadrian. This portrait type originated soon after he came to power but before 130 CE, up to which point it was customary to leave out the detail of the eyes in portraits in stone, as seen here. Our Berlin Hadrian reflects the shift towards a new style of depiction for the eyes, for although his iris has been scored in the stone, it is still missing the pupil. As in other portraits of him, Hadrian is seen here as the first Roman emperor to be portrayed wearing a beard. The beard has been generally interpreted as an attempt to emulate the image of the Greek philosopher and a way of alluding to the emperor’s personal affinity to Greek culture and a Greek way of thinking. It should be pointed out, however, that beards start appearing more frequently again in the late 1st century CE. And, as such, Hadrian’s beard may also be an expression of contemporary taste and fashion. Furthermore, one should not overlook the fact that beards were also very likely a sign of the influence that late Classical and early Hellenistic portraiture had on Roman art at the time.