Memoirs of Hadrian ;: And, Reflections on the composition of Memoirs of Hadrian
by Marguerite Yourcenar
Category: Biographical fiction

Hadrian, approaching death, writes a long valedictory letter to the young Marcus Aurelius, next-but-one in the line of succession. Hadrian describes his accession and explains the philosophy that informed his rule over the powerful and far-flung Empire.