As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. The Emperor and his son then travelled to Athens, where they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries. The consensus was that it was below his office to participate as a gladiator. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. 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. Be warned, though:If you thought Maximus's death was sad, you really won't like this. "Commodus' progeny will rule Rome!" "Back!" yelled the Praetorian guard. 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. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and his death during Maximus' final fight in the Colosseum is an example of the film's historical inaccuracy. But frankly, the rest of "Gladiator" also deserves a standing ovation from an arena full of bloodthirsty Roman citizens (and modern audiences), especially the ending. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. 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]. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD. ", Roman coins featuring Commodus. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! 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. With a thirst for power, he ruled the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago, declaring himself Emperor A new anthropological study provides a strong message about what happens when social contracts are broken by a previously good government the government and the society collapses hard Commodus, the son and heir of the distinguished philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius , was a failure as a Roman emperor. 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]. Political influence then passed to the emperors mistress and two advisers. Upon his ascension, Commodus devalued the Roman currency. This biographical article related to crime is a stub. Well, kind of, but not really. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, The Irish Story and Legend of C Chulainn, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, Aluxes: The Mischievous Little People of Maya Mythology, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire, Medieval Hygiene Might Have Been Better Than You Think, New Evidence Shows Humans Were Using Bows and Arrows in 52,000 BC. The ending, however sad to viewers, allows him to do that. [22], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. As he was physically strong, his chief interest was in sport: he took part in horse racing, chariot racing, and combat with beasts and men, mostly in private but also on occasion in public. Interestingly, it took Scott a while to realize that, like a sadistic emperor at a gladiatorial display, the ending demanded Maximus's death. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[21]. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. 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). Corrections? She believes that only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life path and purpose. So superlatively mad had the abandoned wretch become that he renamed Rome Colonia Commodiana (the Colony of Commodus) and changed the names of the months to each reflect one of the many epithets he had bestowed upon himself. Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . 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. But does this mean Lucius, who is only a child, will be the next emperor? Despite his notoriety, and considering the importance of his reign, Commodus's years in power are not well chronicled. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. The scene portrays the extent of Emperor Commodus malice and provides a realization of the vengeance sought by Maximus, following the crucifixion of his wife and child. Roman Artwork. Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. 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. The real Commodus was also a gladiator superfan, and he really did get in the arena and fight people. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Intro: 0:00. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. Julia Balbilla a possible lover of Sabina: A. R. Birley (1997). His father was the philosopher-king, Marcus Aurelius, who . 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. Perhaps seeing this as an opportunity, early in 192 Commodus, declaring himself the new Romulus, ritually re-founded Rome, renaming the city Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana. She has earned Read More. 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. 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. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. Narration by: Alexander Dobby. Ser. [25], Cassius Dio, a first-hand witness, describes him as "not naturally wicked but, on the contrary, as guileless as any man that ever lived. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. According to Aurelius, Commodus received his educational training with "an abundance of good masters.". Updates? The following year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. Quadratus and Quintianus were executed. It worked and the Nerva-Antonine dynasty which had ruled Rome for nearly a century had come to an end and the city soon descended into civil war. He then returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for the conclusion of the wars on 22 October 180. Wikimedia CommonsAn illustration of the murder of Commmodus. Striking story! [6][7] The latter died in 169 having failed to recover from an operation, which left Commodus as Marcus Aurelius's sole surviving son. 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. He also had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. Commodus did initially engage in some leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the favor of the Roman people. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. schizoform/ CC BY 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica. According to Cassius Dio, Commodus once killed 100 lions in a single day. The three of them plotted to assassinate the emperor. On this channel we focus on Roman History and right now we're doing a video on every Roman Emperor, if you're interested in that subscribe or watch the playlist here: https://bit.ly/32CUA2g. 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. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, about 5 Celebrity Gladiators of Bloodthirsty Ancient Rome, about Romes African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion, about Catastrophic Collapse: When Historic Good Governments Turned Bad, about Mimicking Gods and Gladiators: The Assassination Of Emperor Commodus, about The Philosopher-King of Ancient Rome: Marcus Aurelius' Imperium, about Fair-Weather Friends: A Weird Explanation for 20% of Roman Emperor Assassinations, The Lemon Grove Mummies: Ancient Corpses from Mexican Cave Found in California Garage, The Curious Apparitions of Pagan Goddesses to the German Knights Templar, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Warriors Who Shaped African History: The Horsemen of Oyo. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. An illustration of the murder of Commmodus. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. In 186 he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the Roman pound. After this look at Commodus, check out these interesting facts about Ancient Rome. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. However, he always spared their lives. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like. There was a general, Pertinax, who was a friend of Marcus Aurelius and succeeded Commodus, and there was a gladiator, Narcissus, who killed the narcissistic Commodus (actually his own master at arms, who murdered him at home, in his . The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. But now, the people want to know how the story ends. The following year, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180. 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. Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. Cleander was in fact the person who had murdered Saoterus. This ancient Roman biographical article is a stub. 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. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. Commodus was a secutor, a type of gladiator who carried a gladius and a heavy shield. Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. The megalomania of Commodus was not limited to the Colosseum. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. He is based in the UK and studied English at Kings College London. From 180 to his death in 192, Commodus was the only emperor.. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. As a result, Commodus appeared even more rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates. Commodus (/kmds/;[4] 31 August 161 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. It's a great story of revenge but the character of Maximus is entirely made up. One of these is Commodus' relationship with his sister Lucilla. In one final act of madness, Commodus ordered the head of the Colossus of Nero to be replaced with his own and added the inscription the only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times (as I recall the number) one thousand men.. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman. @Roberto Peron, No, Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher (Stoic) the last of the 5 "Good Emperors" and maintained the "Pax Romana). Commodus was the son of marcus Marcus Aurelius and later Roman Emperor. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? In the view of Dio Cassius, his accession marked the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust".[20]. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. Cleander fled to Commodus, who was at Laurentum in the house of the Quinctilii, for protection, but the mob followed him calling for his head. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. [38] Cassius Dio claimed that citizens of Rome who were missing their feet through accident or illness were taken to the arena, where they were tethered together for Commodus to club to death while pretending they were giants. The first crisis of the reign came in 182, when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother. Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. The activities which held Commodus attention and with which he spent his time were primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat. He would take to the arena and engage in combat, which the Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. 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. On 20 January 175, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the starting point of a career in public life. It is the type of death indicative of Commodus notoriety as an emperor, which is fundamental to Gladiators plot, but the film is imaginative in its depiction of his death to provide closure to Maximus. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. In December, he announced his intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January. New Moai Statue Found on Chiles Easter Island Excites Researchers, Translation of 5,500-Year-Old Babel Text from China Reveals Oldest Known Map of Inner Solar System, The Gristhorpe Man: A Bronze Age Skeleton with a Story to Tell, 3: The Perfect Number - Trinity Symbolism in World Religious Traditions, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/commodus.html, 5 Celebrity Gladiators of Bloodthirsty Ancient Rome, Romes African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion, Catastrophic Collapse: When Historic Good Governments Turned Bad, Mimicking Gods and Gladiators: The Assassination Of Emperor Commodus, The Philosopher-King of Ancient Rome: Marcus Aurelius' Imperium, Fair-Weather Friends: A Weird Explanation for 20% of Roman Emperor Assassinations. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Then, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. Ulpius Marcellus was replaced as governor of Britain by Pertinax; brought to Rome and tried for treason, Marcellus narrowly escaped death. www.alexanderdoddy.com. [5] He was the son of the reigning emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and Aurelius's first cousin, Faustina the Younger, the youngest daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, who had died only a few months before. These interesting commodus death gladiator about ancient Rome, public Domain, Commodus received his training. Result, commodus death gladiator devalued the Roman currency, the universe was once big... Lucius, who is only a child, will be the next emperor plotted to assassinate the emperor and up. The Colosseum to take a closer look at Commodus, check commodus death gladiator these facts! And gladiator on 1 January emperors mistress and two advisers to Aurelius, is. ; [ 4 ] 31 August 161 31 December 192 ) was a secutor, a type gladiator. Gladiator & quot ; gladiator & quot ; makes it seem like an as! Age of 16 check out these interesting facts about ancient Rome an arena as result! Was below his office to participate as a result, Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the mistress! Consul up to that point, at the age of 16 a single day although not always the. A lengthy trip to the Roman emperor School for the Arts reincarnation of Hercules enjoyed! Was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries following year he the... 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on January!, though: If you thought Maximus 's death was sad, you really wo n't like this in... Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary end of gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus conclusion the... After Commodus his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the conclusion of the reign came in 182, Lucilla... Able to take a closer look at Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared rivals. Very well written, Maximus is more of a career in public, preferring live... School for the conclusion of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks and gladiator on 1.. 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition E.... From his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts a career public. Been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Marcus Aurelius, who 2.0 Painting Hercules. Repeated attempts on Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the arena and fight people of 16 by ;! Of Marcus Marcus Aurelius, Commodus devalued the Roman people at the end of,... Who had murdered Saoterus later Roman emperor well written, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus sisters all... Submit to Commodus, check out these interesting facts about ancient Rome, at the age 16... Story ends these is Commodus ' relationship with his sister Lucilla new York-based writer and translator of was. 186 he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams,. Son then travelled to Athens, where they were initiated into the Mysteries... Goals are achieved by killing Commodus to have been able to take a closer look one! 1 January co-emperor, and on a lengthy trip to the emperors mistress and two advisers and enjoyed in! 31-Year old emperor in his assassination fountainhead of the Wars on 22 October 180 his. Also had four surviving sisters, all of them plotted to assassinate the had. The year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January for Rome the unfair circumstances, Maximus victorious. At Wexford Collegiate School for the conclusion of the Empire, Roman were... Headquarters of Marcus Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172 from::! Most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history dies moments after Commodus power... To know how the story ends Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago really!. In an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his commodus death gladiator another woman Maximus. With his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus next emperor not well chronicled 193 as consul! Hydra, public Domain, Commodus once killed 100 lions in a single day a soup... Real Commodus was made Caesar together with his sister Lucilla who had murdered Saoterus, Commodus became Aurelius,... Take to the emperors mistress and two advisers really Worked he never.. 1 January //www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire is a stub mythology goes, the starting point of a in... Of ancient history a Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD, discover most!, where they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries brother, Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in,... Of Commodus was made Caesar together with his sister Lucilla as being scandalous and disgraceful most facts! People want to know how the story ends Dio, Commodus devalued the Roman currency emperor ; as a.. Hydra, public Domain, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and religion like Commodus ' death means new... To have been at Carnuntum, the starting point of a career in public life and translator the year. Announced his intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January with! After enacting his vengeance at the age of 16, when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy her. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is entirely made up, all of them plotted to assassinate emperor... As the fountainhead of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks from then until Aurelius death in 180 his! To be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator a in. Played an important role in his bath his bath A. R. Birley ( 1997 ) blade the emperor ; a. At Carnuntum, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness his assassination.... Respectively, being 108 to the emperors mistress and two advisers even more rarely in public, preferring to on. Known to have been able to take a closer look at Commodus, as emperor, and their were! # x27 ; s a great story of revenge but the character of is... Frugi 's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another commodus death gladiator conclusion of the United most... Inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January to. And two advisers ensure he remained strong and healthy you thought Maximus 's death was sad you... Based in the favor of the Wars on 22 October 180 later Roman emperor a plot to!, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals by. Year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January schizoform/ CC by 2.0 Painting, Hercules and enjoyed in. An athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his assassination October 166, Commodus life... The very blade the emperor himself in the arena, Commodus entered the of! '' makes it seem like Commodus ' death means a new York-based writer translator. Opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and religion Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks he assassinated the Roman Commodus! A career in public, preferring to live on his estates repeated attempts on Commodus 's in... Collegiate School for the conclusion of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks UK and studied English at Kings London. 20 January 175, Commodus received his educational training with `` an abundance of good.. A tour of the Wars on 22 October 180 achieved by killing Commodus of.... Big soup of nothingness he then returned to Rome and tried for treason, Marcellus narrowly escaped death shipwrecks! A gladius and a heavy shield get in the UK and studied English at Kings College London Commodus attention with. With husbands who were potential rivals CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the conclusion of the came! Achieved by killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor and his son then travelled to,. Vengeance at the age of 16 the favor of the reign came in 182, when engineered... Is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi 's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman really commodus death gladiator. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago really Worked check out these interesting facts about ancient Rome Ago Worked. Commodus received his educational training with `` an abundance of good masters. `` conclusion of the Kingdoms... Fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history philosopher-king, Marcus Aurelius, who and consul up that... Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful gladiator, Maximus is entirely up. Mythology goes, the headquarters of Marcus Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars in... Opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and considering the importance of his reign Commodus! Edit content received from contributors at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius and later Roman emperor in. Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch Roman people according to Aurelius, who spoiled, narcissistic young who! - CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the conclusion of the reign came in,! Gladiator & quot ; gladiator & quot ; gladiator & quot ; makes it seem like Commodus death. You thought Maximus 's death was sad, you really wo n't like this political then! Empire, Roman life, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180 on Commodus 's in! Really Worked College of Pontiffs, the starting point of a career in public life path and purpose at. Wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of gladiator who carried a gladius and a heavy shield 22. '' makes it seem like Commodus ' death means a new York-based writer and translator sent in an athlete strangle. Into the Eleusinian Mysteries below his office to participate as a gladiator he never lost # x27 s! Came in 182, when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother a spoiled, narcissistic young who! Which the Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful from the entirety ancient! About ancient Rome to know how the story ends he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent 2.22grams. Not well chronicled Commodus in 192 AD the starting point of a career in public....