Antinopolis Al-Minya Egypt

Hadrian has a close relationship with a Bithynian Greek youth, Antinous, which is most likely sexual.

Deeply saddened in 130 CE after Antinous drowns, Hadrian, founds the Egyptian city of Antinopolis in his memory, and has Antinous deified—an unprecedented honor for one not of the ruling family.

The cult of Antinous is to become very popular in the Greek-speaking world.

It has been suggested that Hadrian created the cult as a political move to reconcile the Greek-speaking East to Roman rule.

Hadrian writes poetry in both Latin and Greek; one of the few surviving examples is a Latin poem he reportedly composes on his deathbed.

He also writes an autobiography—not, apparently, a work of great length or revelation, but designed to squelch various rumors or explain his various actions.

Hadrian from the time of his youth according to one source had been a passionate hunter, founding and dedicated a city In northwest Asia to commemorate a she-bear he had killed.

It is documented that in Egypt he and his beloved Antinous killed a lion.

Eight reliefs in Rome featuring Hadrian in different stages of hunting decorate a building that began as a monument celebrating a kill.