Arrian writes Hadrian from the Black Sea where he has overseen the completion of Hadrian's modernizations. He reports that the local populace is thankful to the emperor and prosperity abounds. Hadrian is gladdened by the news, but he is also deeply depressed by the deterioration of his body.
He recalls giving the philosopher Euphrates permission to commit suicide, and now he wants the luxury of ending his life quickly. He asks a Samaritan servant to kill him, but the man believes him to be immortal and flees the room in terror. One day, while Hermogenes is away, Hadrian asks his assistant to concoct a poison to give him. The assistant does so, but he drinks it himself to avoid following the emperor's request. After this incident, Hadrian decides that killing himself would be unfair to.....
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