1. Though a member of the Imperial Court of Rome, Antinous was Greek. How might his nationality have affected his perceptions of Roman culture?

2. What effect did class differences have on Antinous’ relationships with the other students at the Imperial School? What effect did they have on his relationship with Hadrian?

3. How would Antinous’ coming of age --- “taking on the white toga” --- impact his relationship with Hadrian?

4. In what ways were Roman society’s perceptions and assumptions about homosexuality similar to those of contemporary society? In what ways might these perceptions and assumptions differ from those of today?

5. Controversy still exists today over whether the actual death of Antinous was a murder, a suicide, or an accident. How does the author of this novel choose to portray his death? What incidents in the novel might be seen as factors that contribute to the character’s choice to sacrifice himself in devotio suicide?