Yourcenar's Memorie di Adriano: Immortal Words of Emperor Hadrian
Marguerite Yourcenar's novel Memorie di Adriano (Super ET – Einaudi) is examined as a literary masterpiece that reconstructs the historical profile of Emperor Hadrian through his intellectual openness, prophetic insights, political thought, and loves for Plotina and Antinoos. The work's genius lies in making one man's story universal and contemporary. Yourcenar began composing the novel in 1924 after visiting Villa Adriana in Tivoli, with the first draft titled I taccuini di note di Memorie di Adriano. The final version was published in 1951 after decades of revisions, structured as a long letter from the dying Hadrian to his 17-year-old grandson and successor Marcus Aurelius. The novel explores themes of suicide, rationality versus fate, and construction as collaboration with the earth. Yourcenar's words achieve immortality, nourishing contemporary readers.
Key facts
- Marguerite Yourcenar wrote Memorie di Adriano, published in 1951 by Einaudi (Super ET).
- The novel is structured as a letter from Emperor Hadrian to his successor Marcus Aurelius.
- Yourcenar first visited Villa Adriana in Tivoli in 1924, inspiring the work.
- The initial draft was titled I taccuini di note di Memorie di Adriano.
- The book covers Hadrian's intellectual, political, and personal life, including his loves for Plotina and Antinoos.
- The novel reflects on suicide, rationality, fate, and the act of building.
- The article is by Antonia De Francesco for MIfacciodiCultura.
- The piece was published on Artspecialday on June 8, 2026.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Einaudi
- MIfacciodiCultura
- Artspecialday
Locations
- Tivoli
- Italy