honorthegods:Reconstruction of the Mausoleum of Hadrian (above) and a View of the Castel S. Angelo (
honorthegods:Reconstruction of the Mausoleum of Hadrian (above) and a View of the Castel S. Angelo (below) by Jan Goeree (Dutch, Middelburg 1670–1731 Amsterdam) via The Met. Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. License: Public Domain.Today, July 10, marks the anniversary the death of Hadrian in 138 C.E. His mausoleum, now known as the Castel Sant’Angelo, was constructed between 123 and 139 C.E. Located on the right bank of the Tiber, it was inspired by the mausoleum of Augustus. The 64 meter circular collonade may have been topped with a cella, and is said to have been surmounted by a gilded statue of Hadrian as Helios, driving the chariot of the sun. Hadrian’s ashes, as well as those of his wife Sabina, were interred in the depths of the building, as were the remains of succeeding emperors down to Caracalla in 217 C.E. He was accorded divine honors by the Roman Senate in 139 CE.Ave, Divus Hadriani! May your pietas inspire in us greater devotion to the gods, and greater service to our communities! -- source link