THE LIFE OF ANTINOUS GOD
by Dionysus Herus
In the small town of Bithynium-Claudiopolis, nestled in the northwest corner of Asia Minor, a young boy named Antinous was born in the year 111 AD. The town, now known as Turkey, was once the backdrop of a story that would echo through the annals of history. Antinous emerged from obscurity to become a figure known around the world by the end of his brief life. His name and image endured over the ages due to the enigmatic love affair that bloomed between him and Hadrian, the ruler of the Roman Empire.
Born into a family of gentry or influence within Bithynium-Claudiopolis, Antinous' early life remains shrouded in mystery. Though the exact details of his upbringing are largely unknown, certain facts have been recorded. His birthdate was set on November 27th, and he was often described as an "ephebe," a term derived from Greek to denote a young man of about 18 years of age. His physical appearance, however, is well-documented through numerous surviving sculptures. These artworks portrayed him as an embodiment of divine perfection, a living god comparable to Ganymede and Adonis, whose beauty captivated even the deities.
Emperor Hadrian, during a visit to Bithynia in AD 123, potentially encountered Antinous for the first time. Antinous' parents granted him the opportunity to study at Rome's finest boys' school with their consent. There, he immersed himself in the liberal arts and the teachings that would mold him into an exemplary Roman citizen. His formative years were spent sculpting not only his mind but also his body under the guidance of Greek trainers, resulting in a physique that epitomized classical male beauty.
Antinous' talents extended beyond academia and aesthetics. He proved himself to be an exceptional hunter, a passion shared with Hadrian. Their time was often consumed by the thrill of hunting wild animals, including a fearsome lion that terrorized the Libyan desert. Antinous' affection for Hadrian's hounds was evident, drawing parallels between his loyalty and devotion to those of the canine companions. His attributes of beauty, youth, and athletic prowess mirrored those qualities admired in the animal kingdom.
Antinous, in his short existence, played a pivotal role in shaping human history. He became the first historical figure to be deified due to his homosexuality, igniting the creation of a religion that endured for centuries. This religion, however, triggered reactions from Christians that resonated down the ages.
Contrary to some claims, Antinous' relationship with Hadrian began only when he reached the age of majority. Homophobic rumors were propagated by early Christians to suppress his legacy, a testament to the profound impact he left behind. His allure as the last deity of the ancient Roman religion endured through time, captivating admirers of male beauty throughout history.
Hadrian's Imperial Voyage of the East painted a vivid journey across the vast Roman Empire. Unlike any emperor before him, Hadrian traversed the empire, touching every province from Britain to Israel, and from the Danube to North Africa multiple times. His commitment to improving the lives of his subjects was evident in his hands-on approach to governance.
Hadrian's admiration for the Greek concept of civilization led him to embark on a grand journey to the East in 128 AD. His wife, Empress Sabina, accompanied him, but it was Antinous who held a special place in his retinue. Their relationship, openly displayed, became a spectacle witnessed by the world.
The Sacred Pilgrimage, as this journey came to be known, marked the only extensively documented portion of Antinous' life. As they traversed the East, Antinous' beauty shone, akin to a star gracing the wings of an imperial eagle. Their route took them through lands rich in mythological significance—Ganymede, Attis, Adonis, Jesus, and Osiris—all beautiful souls taken before their time.
In Athens, the retinue lingered for several months, coinciding with the Eleusinian Mysteries, symbolic of Proserpine's myth. Hadrian's interest in spirituality and theology guided him through this journey. It's believed that Antinous underwent secret initiations by the Eleusinian priests, receiving consecration from the black goddess Proserpine, an ordeal that prepared him for death and rebirth.
The journey continued through Asia Minor, visiting Bithynia, Antinous' birthplace, before traversing into Antioch, Armenia, and Arabia. Their path led them to Jerusalem, where Hadrian engaged in theological debates with rabbis, inadvertently sowing seeds of unrest that would later culminate in the Bar Kochba rebellion.
Egypt, the land of the Nile, awaited their arrival. Alexandria, a center of scholarship, greeted Hadrian's reforms with resistance. Among the contentious elements was Antinous and his relationship with the emperor. Faced with challenges, the entourage journeyed to Libya to confront a menacing man-eating lion. With bravery, Antinous confronted the beast, leaving a mark on history and acquiring a symbol—the red lotus flowers.
As they returned to Alexandria, the ranks swelled with high priests of Egyptian gods. As the Nile's flood receded, a ritualistic journey against the current began. Antinous embarked on this sacred passage, a journey of no return.
The narrative took a tragic turn as Antinous met his end in Hermopolis, near a Temple of Ramses II, by falling into the Nile on October 28, AD 130. His demise remained shrouded in uncertainty—whether an accident, suicide, sacrifice, or something more mysterious. Hadrian's grief, expressed with intensity, marked a turning point, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.
In Hermopolis, the story shifted into the realm of myth. The festival of Osiris, symbolizing death and resurrection, influenced events in profound ways. The priests of Osiris revealed that chosen boys, remarkably beautiful, were once drowned in the Nile, mirroring Osiris' fate. Something transformative happened in Hermopolis, veiled by the veil of time. Antinous became a figure of mythical proportions.
The fleet continued to Hir-wer, where an ancient Temple of Ramses II stood. On October 30, AD 130, Hadrian declared his astonishing plan. As the Pontifex Maximus, High Priest of the Roman Religion, he decreed Antinous a god, one who conquered death and ascended to the stars. This proclamation ignited the New God Antinous religion, spreading its message across the world.
The legacy of Antinous lives on—a symbol of beauty,
love, and transformation—captivating hearts then and now.
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