Hadrian at the British Museum

10:59am Saturday 27th September 2008

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What and where? Hadrian: Empire And Conflict, at the British Museum in London.

Why? Until now, my sum knowledge about Hadrian has been that he built a great big wall between England and Scotland.

The British Museum’s new exhibition presented the best opportunity I will probably ever have to find out more about what this Roman Emperor did during his reign from AD117 to 138.

All I had to do was hop on a National Express East Coast train to London, and then take a half hour stroll to the British Museum in Russell Street.

The museum has brought together more than 180 objects-including statues, bronzes and archaeological treasures – from 28 museums around the world to explain all about Hadrian’s life and legacy.

I discovered he was a great military leader who ruthlessly quashed revolts and ruled an empire stretching all the way from that wall to Africa and the Middle East.

He also loved Greek culture and architecture, building a huge villa at Tivoli the size of a small city and the famous Pantheon in Rome.

And while he was married to a woman, he really preferred blokes and had a lover called Antinous who died in mysterious circumstances in the River Nile. The death hit Hadrian for six, and he founded a new city named Antinoupolis after him. Antinous was declared a god, leading a cult to spring up around him. They should make a film about this story. The Hadrian exhibition is being staged in the splendid surroundings of the museum’s Round Reading Room, which funnily enough, looks rather like the Pantheon.

When? The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 5.30 pm, with last entry at 4.20pm. The museum opens late on Thursdays and Fridays until 8.30pm, last entry 7.20pm. The exhibition finishes on October 26.

How much? Entry to the museum is free, but there is a charge for entry to the Hadrian exhibition of £12 for adults and £10 for students and people aged 16-18. Children under 16 go free when accompanied by adults.

Any other details? The museum has full disabled access, toilets and café facilities.

Further information: Telephone 0207 323 8181 Fact file

Mike travelled from York to London by rail with National Express East Coast: advance returns, booked online, start from £20 Standard Class or £65 First Class: book via www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com, call 08457 225225 or visit any staffed station.