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The book tells the story of Selene, a young Christian woman, and her journey with her adopted family to their new home in Besa, Upper Egypt. Along the way, they stop in Alexandria, where Selene says goodbye to her friend Arsinoe and is baptized along with her brother Helios. The story also follows Antinous, a favorite of Emperor Hadrian, who is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties. As Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, Antinous becomes increasingly anxious and uncertain about his own future. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene has been martyred for her faith, and overcome with grief and guilt, he takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor, Antinoe. The book concludes with Hadrian's decision to build a new city and erect a monument to Antinous, and with Balbilla, a poetess, finding love and happiness with the architect Pontius. The story explores themes of faith, love, loss, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire.
The chapter continues the story of Selene, a young woman who has converted to Christianity, and her journey with her adopted mother Hannah and brother Helios to their new home in Besa, Upper Egypt. Along the way, they stop in Alexandria, where Selene visits her friend Arsinoe and says goodbye. Selene and Helios are baptized, and they begin their new life in Besa. Meanwhile, Antinous, a favorite of Emperor Hadrian, is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties. He becomes increasingly withdrawn and isolated, causing concern for Hadrian. The Emperor announces his intention to visit the southern provinces of the Nile valley, which sparks a mixture of excitement and anxiety among his companions. As they travel, they encounter various characters, including a philosopher who has converted to Christianity and a lame girl who is a sick-nurse. The story takes a dramatic turn when Selene and Helios are martyred for their faith, and Antinous is overcome with grief and guilt. In a shocking turn of events, Antinous takes his own life, throwing himself into the Nile River. The chapter ends with Hadrian's vow to deify Antinous and build a city in his honor, and the news of Antinous' death spreading throughout the empire.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to the southern provinces of Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous, his favorite. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, which causes Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous, and with Balbilla finding love and happiness with the architect Pontius.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to the southern provinces of Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous, his favorite. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, which causes Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous, and with Balbilla finding love and happiness with the architect Pontius.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to the southern provinces of Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous, his favorite. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, which causes Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous, and with Balbilla finding love and happiness with the architect Pontius.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, causing Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, causing Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous.
The chapter continues the story of Hadrian's journey to Egypt, where he is accompanied by Antinous. Along the way, they stop in Memphis, where Hadrian visits the Egyptian temples and submits to various ceremonials. Antinous is struggling with his own feelings and loyalties, and Hadrian announces his intention to adopt Verus as his successor, causing Antinous to feel anxious and uncertain about his own future. Meanwhile, Sabina, Hadrian's wife, is traveling by boat and is accompanied by Balbilla, a poetess who is infatuated with Antinous. The story takes a dramatic turn when Antinous discovers that Selene, a Christian girl he had fallen in love with, has been martyred for her faith. Overcome with grief and guilt, Antinous takes his own life by jumping into the Nile River. Hadrian is devastated by the loss of his favorite and vows to deify him and build a city in his honor. The chapter ends with Hadrian's decision to build a new city, Antinoe, and to erect a monument to Antinous, and with Balbilla finding love and happiness with the architect Pontius.