Memoirs Of Hadrian

A novel in the form of a long letter written by the Roman emperor Hadrian, who reflects on his life as his health declines. He addresses the young Marcus, the future emperor, and looks back on his travels, his duties of rule, his love of Greek culture and his deep attachments. The book blends careful historical research with imagination, creating an intimate portrait of a ruler thinking about power, friendship, the body and the meaning of a well-governed life. It is widely regarded as Yourcenar's masterpiece and a landmark of modern historical fiction.