HADRIAN'S BOWL is a thrilling piece of work on a wide canvas that sweeps from scuba diving for antiquities in the Mediterranean, to covert encounters in European cities, to perilous smuggling on a small craft crossing the north Atlantic in the depths of winter, to clandestine high level board meetings in New York's most posh hotels. This is not a mere adventure escapade. It is a quest by a successful businessman who inadvertently stumbles into trouble and in the process of trying to extricate himself, discovers for the first time in his life the essence of his soul. It is a story filled with rich characters, some noble, some contemptible, but every one fascinating. HADRIAN'S BOWL is propelled by a remarkably subtle entreaty to understanding human differences, in this case homosexuality. It all ends in a glorious and uplifting denouement. Melvin R. Bloom, Literary agent, Ret., Author

This book is a great read, a fascinating "crossing the north sea chase adventure", but it is also an internal adventure and a social exploration. Does a bowl from antiquity imply that Jesus accepted homosexuality? Who are the various people trying to capture the bowl, and for what exremely different purposes? Lots of fun, and also quietly moving.

I read this book in High School and later bought the book from the Library. It is a good introduction to life in the Roman world during the so-called "Silver Age" when the Empire was at it's greatest extent. It is an action packed adventure stretching from Northern Britain to the Eternal City itself.

It is a shame that all this author's work is out of print.

I have long been a fan of Geoffrey Trease's historical novels, but this is - to my mind - one of the best he's ever written. (My personal list of favorites includes *Cue for Treason* and *Victory at Valmy* too.) This is the story of Paul, the son of a Roman legionnaire in Britain, who sets out on a journey to Rome, avoiding gangsters along the way, to take a message to the Emperor, and try to save an innocent man's life. It has everything: adventure, humor, and a lover's description of Rome. This book should not be out of print!

The book is a very well documented historical document in English that covers everything that we know in detail about the life that Hadrian and Antinous shared together and the world in which they lived. Wherever facts are not known, the several existing theories are exposed. It is an open minded, honest book that recovers some of the facts that, due to the political and religious agendas of previous sources, have remained hidden or were not disclosed or explored fully previously.

"Following Hadrian" is a quite compelling book. Hard to categorize, though; Elizabeth Speller's scholarship is impeccable; there are areas of original (and fascinating) research, but worn very lightly; yet she is not afraid to conjecture -- not least through the imagined words of the very real poet (and Hadrian's empress's closest companion) Iulia Balbilla.

It makes, as I said, for a compelling mix in which not only does the Hellenophile, restless, melancholy and endlessly-travelling Emperor Hadrian come vividly to life, but so do his surroundings, whether human or geographical, whether at home in his great villa at Tivoli; abroad in Egypt or (disastrously) Judea; or in the reeking, clattering, treacherous city of Rome, then the centre of the Empire and, it seemed, the world. The still-pronounced papal blessing "Urbi et Orbi" -- the City and the World -- takes on a new significance in the light of the world-view Speller presents.

Why Rome? Rome, I suppose, because we in the West have, ever since the Roman empire two thousand years ago, been just another, later sort of Roman. So much of our culture, our politics, our law, our understanding, and, above all, the exercise of power, derives from Rome. Particularly notable is Speller's exposition of Hadrian's disastrous -- and uncharacteristic -- attempt to invade, overturn and subdue a Semitic desert people who had aroused his anger by their response to what they saw as (what we'd now call) Rome's "cultural imperialism". Sound familiar? Regime Change? Then, it was the Jews, and the result was terrorism, guerilla warfare, an endless strain on Imperial resources, and the fateful Diaspora of the Jews. Now... now, we all know what it is, but we don't know the outcome. Yet.

But Speller has produced more than a historical tract linking past and present. "Following Hadrian" is also a deeply moving insight into the life of the then most potent human being on the planet, and the melancholical perplexity at the heart of his life. She ties together the majestic Grand Ringmaster of the Empire -- Hadrian had an understanding of power of the grand effect, particularly architectural, still unsurpassed -- with the trouble traveller, the seeker after obscure and often bizarre magical mysteries, the negligent husband, and (for which he is most famous) the lover of the young Antinous, still an icon of male beauty, whose mysterious death in the Nile -- suicide? murder? sacrifice? another of Hadrian's special effects? -- still exercises our imagination almost two millennia after it happened. If it ever did.

In sum, then, a remarkable book, as illuminating for the general reader as for an ancient historian, which belongs on student reading lists as well as on every historically-cultured person's bookshelf. Recommended without reservation.

This book greatly elucidates emperor Hadrian's benefactions to the cities in the Roman Empire. Mary Boatwright has expertly researched Hadrian's paternalism towards the cities; however, she argues that Hadrian wanted the cities to remain loyal to Roman institutions. The author also recognizes the Greco-Roman syncretic cultural aspects prevalent during Hadrian's reign as emperor. Lastly, an excellent survey of Roman urbanization and cultural legacy. The maps, tables, and illustrations added to my understanding and reading enjoyment.

Boatwright has made the understanding of architectural remains of Rome more meaningful. She has made the character, intent and intellect of Hadrian take on a purpose. Not only did Hadrian change the face of Rome, but by his efforts Rome became more representative of the multi-cultural world she ruled. The changes in the Campus Martius, Forum Romanum, Forum of Trajan and the Palatine were an attempt apparently to signify that Rome or rather the Roman world was a possession not of the Princeps but of its citizens. In addition architecture was used to promote intellectual curiosity and wonder. He placed the engineering and artistic skills in the hands of those who used them to create useful and meaningful structures and yet also a visual experience for the benefit of all citizens. No expense was spared yet efficiency was always employed. This book makes the reader realize how relevant Roman architecture is to us today.

MacDonald/Pinto assert that Hadrian forged a new and innovative architectural system which integrated buildings with nature and human use. Hadrian's goal was to create an arrangement of buildings which were functional and yet challenged the intellect to contemplate the unseen world. They also make a very strong case for the pervasive influence which this complex villa has had on archtecture from ancient times to the present. This book makes one realize that Roman architecture is indeed relevant to the present.

Hadrian's Wall is a thoughtful and provocative look at the prejudices that a person grows up with....without choice....and the journey a person takes to outgrow, re-evaluate and determine a new future with an open mind....bringing success in growth. The Hadrian's Wall respresents the closed mindedness....tearing down age-old prejudices brings freedom of the past and future.

A great read with historical value of a journey to freedom in everyday life.

I got this as a gift and am very glad that I did. While not a complete identification tool like RIC or SEARS, this is an awesome book for someone starting out with an interest in Imperial coins. It provides detailed inscriptions, RIC and SEARS numbers for the coins pictured, then provides an index of inscriptions and subjects. Truly a great catalog of a collection I want to see in person. Worth the price.

Grabbe's primary purpose is to provide a synthesis of resources for illuminating the reader's knowledge of the conditions in Judea during the Second Temple period (539 BC-AD 70). His secondary purpose, which is based on and is necessary for achieving the first goal, is to discuss the general history of the Near East-Israel's neighbors.

At the outset, Grabbe does not fail to mention the scarcity, and on some accounts, the uncertainty of sources that pertain to some of the periods he addresses, particularly the Persian and Hellenistic (2,3, 111). Says Grabbe, "Any history of the Persian Empire must acknowledge that the sources are few, often biased, and leave out large periods of time" (119). This is especially true of the history of Judea during this particular time frame. Before one attempts to study this history, it is necessary to understand that Palestine's geographical location put her in the middle of a hot bed of geopolitical turmoil. It is also important to understand the concept or theological importance of being "in the land," or as Grabbe puts it, the concept of "remnant" (143). These two factors have always played a dominant role in Jewish history. Beginning a history of Judea during the initial stages of the Persian Empire provides for one of the most intriguing studies. Conditions in Judea at this time were most interesting on the social level. This was a precarious time for the Jews and the Jewish state. That there were internal socioeconomic problems is seen in the fifth chapter of Nehemiah. Again, this was related to the issue of land. Grabbe points out that the internal struggles are clearly alluded to by the lack of productivity between the arrival of the first wave of Jews around 539/38 BC and the time of Nehemiah's reform (93). Why was the city still in such a terrible state?

For those "returning to the land" and those already "in the land," the post-Exilic period would pose many unforeseen problems. Grabbe paints a good picture by pointing out the awkwardness between those who remained "in the land" after 586 BC and those who returned following the decree of Cyrus. Those who remained comprised the bulk of the population, consisting primarily of the lower classes. They would have had the advantage of procuring and working the land (possibly large estates) vacated by the upper classes, which made up the primary contingency for transportation to Babylon (120,121). Those left behind were not necessarily enthusiastic to see the owners return. Likewise, those who came home did not expect to find their ancestral property occupied. "Land ownership" became a prominent issue (24). Economy in Judea was primarily based on farming, and what trade did exist was for immediate local consumption. Although Grabbe does not state this, it is probable that much of the merchant class either remained in the flourishing cities east of the Euphrates, having built up a successful reputation, or moved elsewhere. Others state that there would have been no substantial market in the ruins of Judea. However, it is clear from Nehemiah that "goldsmiths and merchants" were a part of the Jewish corpus that helped rebuild the city (Neh 3:32).

When discussing the social reform of Nehemiah, I think Grabbe highlights the major focus of the book. Restoration was important, especially the rebuilding of the central religious establishment. The Jews were very aware of the circumstances that led to the seventy-year exile. They most certainly contemplated this with the laying of each new brick. How would they prevent past mistakes from recurring? How would they remain pure and separate from the polluted world around them? Born from this are such topics as the supposed "sectarianism" (103,111) or "exclusivist" social temperament (608,609) that was so prominent in Jewish society. This helps explain the rise of the different social movements, sects and parties such as the Maccabean revolts, Hasidim, Pharisees, Essenes, zealots and the sacarii. Many of these groups grew out of the concept of "socio-religious purity." Their aim was to maintain not only Jewish independence, but also a theocratic tradition or superiority, kept unadulterated from the outside world. This most certainly contributed to the internal social climate during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It is unnecessary and perhaps historically irresponsible to categorize all of Judea's problems as solely religious in nature. For example, Grabbe points out that not all so-called "Judaizers" (orthodox) were opposed to every aspect of Hellenistic culture (169). Many of the problems during the Oniad-Tobiad crises were rooted in the political sphere. However, one must ask, "What was the primary spark that ignited the Maccabean uprising?" It certainly was not a revolt against Hellenism as such, but was due to the religious oppression from the Seleucids (268). Eventually the revolt evolved into a fight for independence, in the hopes of improving the socioeconomic conditions in Judea.

This separatist attitude of the Jews later caused anti-Jewish sentiment on the part of the Greeks and Romans. The anti-Semitism that emerged during the Hellenistic-Roman periods was fostered under Hasmonean rule, for it was then that a major Judaizing or proselytizing campaign was carried out among the surrounding peoples, especially the Itureans and Idumeans. To the Greeks and Romans, the Jews demanded religious tolerance but denied it to others (411). It must be stressed that it was not uncommon to explain socioeconomic conditions in religious language (122). Apocalytpic became a popular style of writing and messianism characterized general social expectations. It is little wonder that the first major building project during the administration of Herod the Great was a new and grandiose Temple center. Although Grabbe's book is in no way a theological treatise on the Second Temple period, he does allude to Israel's spiritual condition on several occasions, and never fails to tie this in with the overall evaluation of the period. Grabbe's two volume series is a valuable resource for anyone's Intertestimental history library.