When an emperor in the Mediterranean invites to look at life

The city was first settled around 200 BC and has several monuments, such as Hadrian’s Gate, built in honor of Roman Emperor Hadrian, who visited Antalya in 130. If you haven’t not already done, read the book Mémoires d’Hadrien, a poetic and philosophical prose written by Marguerite Yourcenar, the French novelist, recreating the life and death of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, one of the great rulers of the ancient world, in long letter form to Marcus Aurelius. The Emperor reflects on his past, describing both his triumphs, his failures and his love. The novel has become a modern classic, and Marguerite Yourcenar’s 117th birthday was celebrated in 2020 with a Google Doodle. I have read it several times, with the same emotion.