Antinous (hostile mind) (c. 110 c.e.) In Roman history and legend, the emperor Hadrian’s male lover, drowned in the Nile. Whether Antinous drowned himself or was murdered is not known. Hadrian had his lover deified and founded the city of Antinoöpolis at the site of his death. Coins and statues of Antinous as a handsome youth also were produced, one of the most beautiful statues being the Farnese Antinous. Marguerite Yourcenar’s novel Memoirs of Hadrian deals in part with Hadrian’s love for Antinous.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante