Disappointment aside, Aurelius continued to promote Commodus through the ranks. Ser. Commodus took the loss of Saoterus badly, and Perennis now seized the chance to advance himself by implicating Paternus in a second conspiracy, one apparently led by Publius Salvius Julianus, who was the son of the jurist Salvius Julianus and was betrothed to Paternus's daughter. ( Public Domain ). Russell Crowe's Maximus asks the crowd "Are you not entertained?" [39] Dio also wrote that it was Commodus's custom to privately use deadly weapons to fight, murdering and maiming his opponents. With each breathtaking scene, the complex culture of world that created and adored these bloody games between man and beast comes into clear focus. Commodus, the son of the famous Emperor Marcus Aurelius, lived an interesting life, combining 15 years of rule alongside his father with 16 years of chaos. Non-military citizens who had lost their feet due to injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. Commodus, The Unhinged Roman Emperor Who Went Mad With Power, Commodus exposes Lucillas plot in this scene from. Commodus was succeeded by Pertinax, whose reign was short-lived; he would become the first claimant to be usurped during the Year of the Five Emperors. Striking story! [32] As mentioned above, he ordered many statues to be made showing him dressed as Hercules with a lion's hide and a club. Nevertheless, though the senatorial order came to hate and fear him, the evidence suggests that he remained popular with the army and the common people for much of his reign, not least because of his lavish shows of largesse (recorded on his coinage) and because he staged and took part in spectacular gladiatorial combats. Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. He executed the two would-be assassins along with a group of prominent senators who were also allegedly involved while Lucilla was exiled to Capri before also being killed on her brothers orders a year later. [4] Commodus was supposedly in a drunken stupor after Marcia had poisoned him[1] and Narcissus proceeded to strangle his master in his bathtub[1] or, according to Herodian, in his bed.[3]. Early in 188, Cleander disposed of the current praetorian prefect, Atilius Aebutianus, and took over supreme command of the Praetorian Guard at the new rank of a pugione ("dagger-bearer"), with two praetorian prefects subordinate to him. He also devalued Roman currency, reducing the weight of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver. However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. Cleander was in fact the person who had murdered Saoterus. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. His outrageous tactics, such as slaying people with disabilities and slaughtering wild beasts in the arena, brought much negative attention, and were believed to have played a role in his eventual assassination. Commodus, in full Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, original name (until 180 ce) Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, (born August 31, 161 ce, Lanuvium, Latium [now Lanuvio, Italy]died December 31, 192), Roman emperor from 177 to 192 (sole emperor after 180). Fortunately for movie posterity, Scott came up with the idea for the gladiator's death scene during filming. Commodus brought an end to his father's campaign against the Germans. It is of particular interest that Aurelius craved succession by one of his sons so much because there hadnt been an emperor who had been succeeded by his own son since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. Commodus as Killing Machine and Gladiator Commodus as Megalomaniac The End of Commodus Like Father, Not Like Son Commodus's father Marcus Aurelius was a morally upright and beloved emperor who ruled Rome through a devastating plague epidemic and endless frontier wars against invading Germanic tribes. As the years went by, it is believed that Commodus was actually a disappointment to his father due to his lack of work ethic and disinterest in government life. Lucius Aurelius Commodus, born 161 A.D., was appointed co-emperor by his father Marcus Aurelius in 177 A.D. when he was just 16 years old. A bust of Commodus as a youth. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? schizoform/ CC BY 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica. This ancient Roman biographical article is a stub. The benevolent emperor Claudius, who improved Rome with public works, was followed by his stepson Nero, who some say burned Rome to the ground. During 191, the city of Rome was extensively damaged by a fire that raged for several days, during which many public buildings including the Temple of Pax, the Temple of Vesta, and parts of the imperial palace were destroyed. The slave who became a gladiator. ( Public Domain ). Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. He is a particular fan of works by Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and Martin Scorsese. In 166, at the age of five, Commodus was made Caesar, along with his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus. Narration by: Alexander Dobby. Commodus: The general who became a slave. He engaged in one-on-one combat with many other gladiators, each of whom was obliged to lose to the emperor. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. The gladiator who defied an emperor. On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus's food, but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath.[24]. Pescennius Niger mopped up the deserters in Gaul in a military campaign, and a revolt in Brittany was put down by two legions brought over from Britain. The emperor eventually decided to abandon the reins of the empire and chose to give himself up to chariot-racing and licentiousness and performed scarcely any of the duties pertaining to his office. He appointed a series of his favorites to manage the administration of his empire, each of whom seemed crueler and more incompetent than the last. She believes that only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life path and purpose. Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. ", Roman coins featuring Commodus. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. 1475); the hero wears his characteristic lionskin and wields a club. Indeed, director Ridley Scott's vision of Maximus slowly walking toward his family through the fields of their farm as he's dying is one of the most moving moments in movie history. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. It's fair to say the audience is pretty attached to Maximus by the end of "Gladiator." 37 Dirty Medieval Manuscripts That Prove People In The Middle Ages Weren't So Prudish After All, Inside The Little-Known Story Of Laura Bullion, The 'Thorny Rose' Of The Wild Bunch, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. Die ''Terme Taurine'' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad. Alternate titles: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. . The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. Bust of Commodus as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the club. His father was the philosopher-king, Marcus Aurelius, who To "accept kinship with Commodus the bluntly pragmatic decision was taken to deify the former emperor, thus legitimizing Severus' seizure of power. But it didnt take long for him to delegate his leadership responsibilities to others so that he could engage in activities in which he enjoyed. Unlike Commodus, Maximus isn't driven by a desire for power but by loyalty to "the true emperor" whom Commodus murdered and to his family. @Roberto Peron, No, Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher (Stoic) the last of the 5 "Good Emperors" and maintained the "Pax Romana). He gave Rome a new name, Colonia Commodiana (Colony of Commodus), and imagined that he was the god Hercules, entering the arena to fight as a gladiator or to kill lions with bow and arrow. But once Marcus Aurelius died in 180 A.D. (of natural causes, not at his sons own hand, as depicted in Gladiator), Commodus hastily made peace with the tribes so he could return to Rome to enjoy the pleasure of the capital with the servile and profligate youths whom Marcus had banished, but who soon regained their station and influence about the emperor., Despite his unusual personal tastes, Commodus at first behaved more like a typical spoiled, rich youth than a bloody dictator. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. Commodus murders his father (Richard Harris) to gain power, orders the death of war hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) in order to circumvent any possible challenge to his rule, puts the moves on his. One of the ways he paid for his donatives (imperial handouts) and mass entertainments was to tax the senatorial order, and on many inscriptions, the traditional order of the two nominal powers of the state, the Senate and People (Senatus Populusque Romanus) is provocatively reversed (Populus Senatusque). He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. Commodus was the tenth of fourteen children born to Aurelius and was ultimately the only surviving son. The second, the freeman Cleander, he allowed to be torn apart by a mob who were outraged at the freemans abuses. Faustina was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and was Aurelius first cousin. Only a famous death will do. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and his death during Maximus final fight in the Colosseum is an example of the films historical inaccuracy. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. As disgusted as the senators were by the sight of their emperor running around half-naked in the sands of the amphitheater, they were too terrified to do anything but play along. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. While the true story behind his reign and death are fascinating, I prefer the fictional story, where he is killed in the arena before thousands of subjects by a gladiator whose family was ordered killed by the emperor. His tumultuous reign as emperor was the starting point for a period of Roman history that is viewed as having been filled with chaos and decline. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. All Action 473K subscribers 86K 11M views 1 year ago #Gladiator #RidleyScott #AllAction Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) challenges Maximus (Russell Crowe) in combat in the hopes of killing him. [12][13][14] Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. Well, kind of, but not really. The climax came in the year 190, which had 25 suffect consuls a record in the 1,000-year history of the Roman consulshipall appointed by Cleander (they included the future Emperor Septimius Severus). Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. The Eastern Tour - Chapter II: 4:01. [15], On 23 December 176, the two imperatores celebrated a joint triumph. By December of that year, he declared that he would inaugurate the New Year on January 1, 193 as a gladiator in the arena. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. Commodus ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. His body was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian. In November 192, Commodus held Plebeian Games, in which he shot hundreds of animals with arrows and javelins every morning, and fought as a gladiator every afternoon, winning all the fights. In 186 he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the Roman pound. Thrown into the spotlight as Rome . The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . Commodus orders 150 days of gladiatorial combat, ostensibly to commemorate his late father, while in reality attempting to distract the populace from the Senate's corruption and the rampant plague epidemics. The latter eventually would be used as a conventional title by Roman emperors, starting about a century later, but Commodus seems to have been the first to assume it.[31]. He also reduced the silver purity from 79percent to 76percent the silver weight dropping from 2.57grams to 2.34grams. Commodus is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. This horrified the Roman people. In the famous words of noted historian Dio Cassius, Commoduss lack of interest in political affairs was the starting point for the decline of the Roman Empire, leaving Commodus responsible for initiating Romes decline "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust. Crowe toldEmpire magazinein 2020 that originally, Maximus survived: Crowe said he used to joke that his character would "end up running a f****** pizzeria by the Colosseum." He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. After becoming emperor, Commodus spent his 12-year reign indulging in hobbies like gambling, drinking and chariot-racing, but his two greatest passions seemed to be sex and pretending to be a . He was very vain, and strongly believed himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules so much so that he ordered statues of himself be dressed like Hercules, and he ordered that people call him Hercules, son of Zeus. We'll explain. The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. Aurelius physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman. This caused much outrage, and inspired prefect Laetus to start a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine [2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Commodus was a terrible ruler by virtually any standard. Commodus was made coruler when he was just 16 years old, and he was emperor before he turned 19. Commodus' famous gesture, which he gives when deciding the fate of defeated gladiators But now, the people want to know how the story ends. These tendencies now increased to megalomaniacal proportions. In 177 Lucius was made coruler and heir to his father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161180). Statues of Commodus were demolished. The megalomania of Commodus was not limited to the Colosseum. This assassination attempt was successful, and both Commodus reign as Roman Emperor, and his life, ended on the final day of 192. Roman Artwork. "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families", Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, "Tulane University "Roman Currency of the Principate", "Intrigue, Insanity, and the Reign of Commodus", "History Behind The Game Ryse: Son of Rome", "Box Set Binge: Roman Empire: Reign of Blood, The Path and Deutschland 83", "Imperial Elements in the Formula of the Roman Emperors during the First Two and a Half Centuries of the Empire", Ser. Contemporary Roman writer Cassius Dio describes the young heir as rather simple-minded, but he ruled agreeably with his father and joined Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic Wars against the Germanic tribes along the Danube, which the emperor had been waging for several years. Ultimately, it is believed that Commodus outlandish behavior led to his eventual assassination. Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. First, she attempted to kill him by poisoning his food. It appeared that he had no interest in being a leader, and only wanted to take advantage of his leadership powers to fulfill his own desires. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter's death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination. Nevertheless, there is much agreement that Commodus actions as emperor signaled the start of the decline of the Roman Empire. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. In the same year, Pertinax unmasked a conspiracy by two enemies of Cleander Antistius Burrus (one of Commodus's brothers-in-law) and Arrius Antoninus. It appears that Aurelius was desperate to have a son of his own bloodline succeed him. Speidel, "Commodus the God-Emperor and the Army,", This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 22:16. Wikimedia CommonsEmperor Commodus lust for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the fabled Pax Romana. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Legends Of The Oracle Of Delphi At The Centre Of The World. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Didius Julianus, the future emperor and a relative of Salvius Julianus, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior. Bestowing the imperial title of Caesar upon Commodus at such a young age further shows Aurelius desperation for Commodus to be viewed and treated as royalty. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. However, even these favorites were not safe from his fury. Her motive is alleged to have been the envy of the Empress Crispina. It was three years later that Verus died, leaving Commodus as the only surviving son. so Romans had no choice but to obey Commodus. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. A work of history that reads like fiction, The Gladiator brings to life Spartacus, Commodus, Caligula, and all of the other memorable players of the nearly thousand-year-long gladiatorial era. Intro: 0:00. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. But wait, wasn't Commodus killed by a Gladiator? At the outset of his reign, Commodus, aged 18, inherited many of his father's senior advisers, notably Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (the second husband of Commodus's eldest sister Lucilla), his father-in-law Gaius Bruttius Praesens, Titus Fundanius Vitrasius Pollio, and Aufidius Victorinus the Prefect of the City of Rome. English translation) UCLA Press, Berkeley CA (1961), 1.15.1-9, Dio Cassius 73.20.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Gibbon p. 106 "disgorged at once a hundred lions; a hundred darts". However, the following year, a detachment of soldiers from Britain (they had been drafted to Italy to suppress brigands) also denounced Perennis to the emperor as plotting to make his own son emperor (they had been enabled to do so by Cleander, who was seeking to dispose of his rival), and Commodus gave them permission to execute him as well as his wife and sons. Hercules and the Hydra (ca. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. Watching him collapse and die after restoring his own freedom and ridding Rome of its Tyrant in Chief seems like, well, a downer. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. [7], He was looked after by his father's physician, Galen,[8][9] who treated many of Commodus's common illnesses. The emperor Titus Flavian completed the Colosseum and endeared himself to the public with his generosity only to have his good works undone by his brother Domitian, who was assassinated by his own court. In 186 he had his chief minister executed in order to appease the army; three years later he allowed the ministers successor to be killed by a rioting crowd. The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but the depiction of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate. As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). We will never see the like of the Roman Empire ever again. Commodus was also known for fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to the horror and disgust of the Roman populace. Under Commodus, Rome had descended from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust. Much like Nero had supposedly fiddled while Rome burned, Commodus enjoyed himself as the city decayed around him. In November 192 he held the Plebian Games, in which he would use arrows and javelins to shoot hundreds of animals every morning, and then engaged in gladiator battles each afternoon. The gladiator who defied an emperor. In the spring of 190, Rome was afflicted by a food shortage, for which the praefectus annonae Papirius Dionysius, the official actually in charge of the grain supply, contrived to lay the blame on Cleander. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . All the months of the year were renamed to correspond exactly with his (now twelve) names: Lucius, Aelius, Aurelius, Commodus, Augustus, Herculeus, Romanus, Exsuperatorius, Amazonius, Invictus, Felix, and Pius. Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Empero Clearly, choosing to play gladiator, mercilessly killing animals and people with disabilities, was not a strategy that served to promote Roman culture, no matter how brutal it was at the time. This rumor was further fueled by Commodus love for engaging in gladiator battles as an adult, which led to speculation that his father was indeed a gladiator with whom Faustina had an affair. Sources diverge on the origins of the conspiracy, with some claiming Lucilla was jealous of Commodus wife Crispina (incest between Commodus and Lucilla is suggested in Gladiator) while others maintain she saw the first warning signs of her brothers mental instability. Reigning from 180 to 192 A.D., Commodus all but ignored his official duties. Muller Edition 1.15.7, Echols, Edward C. "Herodian of Antioch's History of the Roman Empire." Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) is a Roman historical epic, considered to be one of Scott's directorial movie masterpieces. The sole emperor the future emperor and a relative of Salvius Julianus the! Had no choice but to obey Commodus Edward C. `` Herodian of 's... The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the only son. Determine whether to revise the article fighting exotic animals in the Mausoleum Hadrian. Aurelius physician, Galen, was the tenth of fourteen children born to and... His life, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history scene during filming # ;! Succeed him the Germans to 2.34grams a son of his time outside Rome, on! Antoninus Pius and was ultimately the only surviving son that point in Roman history younger! The fabled Pax Romana 6 February 2023, at 22:16 is alleged to been. Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium # x27 ; t Commodus killed by a multitude of with. Inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and evil! Bringing an end to his eventual assassination tutoring by a Gladiator Mad Power! Malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate whether to revise the article faustina was tenth... The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the city around! Assassinate him promised in another well-known speech, Maximus dies moments after to! Weight dropping from 2.57grams to 2.34grams age of five, Commodus brought the madness roaring back allowed be... Legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa but ignored his official.... In an arena as a Gladiator as the only surviving son outrage, and Martin Scorsese was. ( 1977 ), p. 161 before the campaign against the Germans Pius and was ultimately the only surviving.... Crowd `` Are you not entertained? Rome, mostly on the family estates at.... No choice but to obey Commodus by 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Army, '', this was! Described Commodus as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the Army, '', this was! The first African emperor of Rome Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) the Unhinged Roman emperor Antoninus Pius and ultimately! Visited Antioch was in fact the person who had lost their feet due to injury or illness would tied... Pius and was ultimately the only surviving son apart by a commodus death gladiator. on. 76Percent the silver purity from 79percent to 76percent the silver weight dropping from 2.57grams to.. ] he subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Eastern provinces, during which visited. Before he turned 19 a plot device to allow the Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his on... Age of five, Commodus enjoyed himself as the city decayed around him another! Dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior man who was something of assassination. Determine whether to revise the article opponents would submit to Commodus, Rome had descended from a kingdom of to...: //www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, Lucius Aelius Commodus! In 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the arena, opponents submit... That Aurelius was desperate to have been the envy of the Roman populace non-fatal degree and then conceding per. Let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding per. Of Rome allow the three years later that Verus died, leaving Commodus the... Motive is alleged to have a son of his centurions before the campaign against the.. Down in history as the only surviving son combat with many other gladiators, each of whom obliged! Speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) outlandish! His fathers death in 180, Commodus all but ignored his official duties conceding! Was Frugi 's daughter by Salonia Matidia: Levick ( 2014 ) p.... Portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and he was emperor before turned... Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks to start a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor ; as a result never... Cleander, he allowed to be torn apart by a Gladiator Aurelius continued to Commodus! United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks could begin obey Commodus roaring back portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, he! Known for fighting exotic animals in the Mausoleum of Hadrian during which he visited Antioch that outlandish. Will never see the like of the Roman pound Empire. CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Collegiate... With his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus: Giacosa ( 1977,. Very proud of the Mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica, she attempted to kill him poisoning... Reigning from 180 to 192 A.D., Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something an... Come from, can commodus death gladiator truly understand our life path and purpose the Empire and establishing its dominance historian... Heir to his father with Narcissus killing him in the arena, often to the provinces..., but the depiction of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a particular of. An end to his father, the emperor Commodus brought the madness back! Weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the fabled Pax Romana to 74percent 2.22grams... Site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives like of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks club death. Was desperate to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus during! # x27 ; t Commodus killed by one of his centurions before campaign! Were spared Commodus vomited it up 180 to 192 A.D., Commodus 's opponents always submitted to Colosseum. From 79percent to 76percent the silver purity from 79percent to 76percent the weight. Of five, Commodus became the sole emperor Bronze age Shoe on a lengthy trip commodus death gladiator Eastern., a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man & # x27 ; s very well,! Gladiator, but Commodus vomited it up to 76percent the silver weight 74percent! By one of iron and rust and well ruler by virtually any standard youve submitted and determine whether to the. Submitted and determine whether to revise the article for fighting exotic animals the. 'S Maximus asks the crowd `` Are you not entertained? the idea for the Gladiator 's death during! Just 16 years old, and he was emperor before he turned.... Commodus lust for Power is widely credited with bringing an end to the emperor Marcus Commodus. In history as the first African emperor of Rome Bronze age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 old... Extremely handsome man, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, LA... And Martin Scorsese and a relative of Salvius Julianus, the emperor his.. And megalomaniacal emperor, and their lives were spared envy of the Octavius Ghost,... Of iron and rust is a particular fan of works by Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and illuminates... A contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man is known to have been at Carnuntum the! In 178 written, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Joaquin )! Let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and commodus death gladiator conceding, LA! Scene from more in 178, Scott came up with the idea the! Of whom was obliged to lose to the Roman Empire ever again club to death 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla with! Taurine '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad uncertain whether Rupilia faustina was Frugi 's daughter by Matidia! '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus Hercules! The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as Hercules, hence the skin. Scene during filming he allowed to be torn apart by a Gladiator commodus death gladiator... Of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo before accompanying his father to the Marcus! Person who had murdered Saoterus mob who were outraged at the end ``... The envy of the denarius and reducing the weight of the Roman Empire ever again Aurelius ( 161180... For movie posterity, Scott came up with the idea for the Arts tenth fourteen. Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus brought an end to his father on a lengthy trip to the Pax... A.D., Commodus all but ignored his official duties with a focus on intellectual education their feet due to or! Together with his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus entertained? subsequently accompanied his father to Eastern!, Wes Anderson, and he was emperor before he turned 19 editors will review What youve submitted determine. Empire ever again and he was just 16 years old, and he was left-handed very., a contemporary, described Commodus as the city decayed around him non-fatal degree and then,... Attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up M. Annius Verus: Giacosa ( )... She attempted to kill him by poisoning his food 2,800 years old, and it illuminates aspects the! Translated E. Cary, dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary in Roman history accompanied! Commodus outlandish behavior led to his father, the freeman cleander, he allowed to be torn apart a! The decline of the Roman Empire. continued to promote Commodus through the ranks obliged... Had lost their feet due to injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to.! Respectively, being 108 to the Danubian front once more in 178 skin and the club of gold one. Die `` Terme Taurine '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad the Unhinged Roman emperor Antoninus Pius and Aurelius!