He is only a few
inches shorter than him. Hadrian can feel his cool skin against his and,
through the light folds of toga and tunic, the swelling bulge of the
boy's already developed manhood. The Emperor kisses him on the forehead
and gently disengages the clinging arms.
"It is time to eat," he says. "I have asked for your favourite foods
to be prepared, roasted lamb and sweet pimentos."
Antinous sighs at what he feels is a physical rejection and
together, hand in hand. and followed by the ever watchful Fortunatus,
they return to the Villa.
Not one of them turns and sees the figure rise from the water, tall,
regal and powerful, trailing strands of weed and carrying a trident in
its right hand while around it porpoises leap and cavort.
Extract from 'the Secret Lives of the Caesars(Julius Caesar to
Domitian)' by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus.
"The Emperor Hadrian, always aware that the boundaries of the Empire
needed constant security was the first to maintain a personal presence by
making what in everything but name alone were 'Royal Progresses' along
the frontiers. These systematic journeys, 'showing the flag' as it were,
were not enjoyed by all of the Emperor's staff involving as they did in
some cases a considerable amount of hardship and personal discomfort,
especially in the more barbaric parts of the Empire such as Britain,
where the Emperor had ordered a Wall to be built to keep out the rude and
uncivilized Picts."
"The planned journey to the kingdom of Egypt, annexed to the Empire only
one hundred years before, though, was less unpopular, the climate being
more akin to their tastes, and the pleasures and entertainments