Statue of Hadrian

Photo Comments

A slightly larger than life–size statue of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (A.D. 117–138) sited in the eastern portion of the Greek agora.  Hadrian was a great lover of Greek culture and rebuilt and added many structures to Athens.

This statue was originally placed in the Stoa of Zeus.  The chest piece that he wears is called a “cuirass.”  Note the children Romulus and Remus that are sucking the wolf.  Romulus and Remus are legendary twins who, after being abandoned, were suckled by a wolf and in adulthood founded the city of Rome.  Thus the wolf and twins evokes the memory of (the founding of) Rome.

The goddess of Athens - Athena - stands upon the wolf, indicating how Hadrian viewed Greek culture as being supported by Rome.

For a brief description of the agora Click Here.