The death
Death is omnipresent. In the novel, Hadrian tells us about the deaths of his own family, relatives, and enemies. Furthermore, he expresses his “desire” to commit suicide at the end of his life. When he asks to assassinate Fuscus, “The youth of Fuscus pitted me even more, he was barely 18 years old.”.
The divine
He feels like God, since others see him that way. Even when he hears him lamenting the end of his life, the guardian of his room believes him to be immortal. A beggar will regain her sight thanks to him, and a terrible contagion of respect will follow.
The importance of body and soul
He would like to enjoy his body for a few more years. He is looking for the link between the body and the soul. Furthermore, he will also experiment with dying animals to see if the soul will emerge from the dead body.
Love
Hadrian’s love for Antinoüs is first a source of happiness, then a source of torture. Hadrian will also found the city Antinoé in Egypt.