Antinens

Antinens, also known as Antinous, was a young man who gained fame during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Born around 110 AD, Antinens was a freedman and a favorite of Hadrian, who adopted him as his son and heir. Their close relationship was well-documented in the writings of the historian Suetonius, who described Antinens as a handsome and intelligent young man.

Antinens accompanied Hadrian on his travels and was often depicted in his art and literature. He was known for his athletic prowess and his love for swimming and hunting. Antinens was also a skilled musician and poet, and he was said to have composed several songs and poems in honor of Hadrian.

However, Antinens' life was cut short in 130 AD when he drowned in the Nile River while swimming with Hadrian. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, but it is believed that he may have been pushed into the water by a group of soldiers. Hadrian was deeply grieved by Antinens' death and was said to have been distraught for several months.

Antinens' death had a profound impact on Hadrian, who reportedly became increasingly reclusive and melancholic in the years that followed. His death also inspired a wave of mourning and grief throughout the Roman Empire, and Antinens was later deified by the Roman Senate. His memory lived on in art, literature, and popular culture, and he remains one of the most famous figures in Roman history.