We’ve heard of the Wall—no, not that one, the 2nd Century AD one stretching across England—but what about Emperor Hadrian’s heart? He lost it to Antinous (far left), an intelligent and sports-loving Greek student. The emperor displayed “an obsessive craving for his presence.” The two traveled together, pursuing their love of hunting; Hadrian once saved his lover’s life during a lion hunt. The emperor even wrote erotic poetry. While visiting the Nile, Antinous drowned mysteriously, but some say he was murdered by those jealous of the emperor’s devotion. The devastated Hadrian proclaimed Antinous a deity, ordered a city be built in his honor, and named a star after him, between the Eagle and the Zodiac.
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