Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius. after executing a double-sword beheading on an unfortunate opponent, delivering an iconic moment in movie and internet history. We'll explain. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like. Ser. Meanwhile, Commodus was lapsing into insanity. Narcissus died by execution during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death. [35] According to Herodian, spectators of Commodus thought it unbecoming of an emperor to take up arms in the amphitheater for sport when he could be campaigning against barbarians among other opponents of Rome. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Commodus hired a wrestler to train him to be even better in the arena. By 192 A.D., the Roman people had had enough. Marcus Aurelius died there on 17 March 180, leaving the 18-year-old Commodus as sole emperor.[18]. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. Contrary to the plot of Gladiator where Emperor Commodus is portrayed as having killed Marcus Aurelius the two ruled together, from 177 until the latters death in 180. The latter is what has made the movie timeless. The following year, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180. [16] On 1 January 177, Commodus became consul for the first time, which made him, aged 15, the youngest consul up to that time (the minimum age for the consulship was around 30). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. 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". Having been accepted as emperor by Syria, Judea and Egypt, Cassius carried on his rebellion even after it had become obvious that Marcus was still alive. 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. 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. Gibbon p. 107 "*1 Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the quadrupeds". 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. Watching him collapse and die after restoring his own freedom and ridding Rome of its Tyrant in Chief seems like, well, a downer. Well, kind of, but not really. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. [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. Alternate titles: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. 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. 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. It's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. Als besonders skandals empfand man die Beziehung zwischen Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus. 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. As Edward Gibbon noted in his famous Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in the intervening years between the death of Domitian and the reign of Commodus, the vast extent of the Roman empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of virtue and wisdom. The Five Good Emperors, ruled efficiently and under them the Roman people enjoyed a rational freedom.. Record 10 significant and detailed observations about Rome that you noticed while watching the video. We will never see the like of the Roman Empire ever again. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors. Commodus is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. It was reputed in local legend to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be haunted. One of the things that the film followed fairly accurately was the . What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? 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. 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. He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. Commodus brought an end to his father's campaign against the Germans. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. The ancient Greek city of Delphi, located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, was home to the main Temple of Apollo and the renowned Oracle of Delphi. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. Available from: http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/commodus.html, M R Reese is a writer and researcher with a passion for unlocking the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. After this look at Commodus, check out these interesting facts about Ancient Rome. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. Once that's done, he only has one more goal: reunite with his family in the afterlife. [44] Dio notes that the targeted senators actually found this more ridiculous than frightening, and chewed on laurel leaves to conceal their laughter. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Yet another attempt on his life had been foiled, but the conspirators did not lose their nerve. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Commodus was a secutor, a type of gladiator who carried a gladius and a heavy shield. [22], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. 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. Commodus reign is commonly regarded as the beginning of the Roman Empires decline, and he is a natural choice for the primary antagonist of Gladiator. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. "Commodus' progeny will rule Rome!" "Back!" yelled the Praetorian guard. The movie is far from historically accurate. In AD 191, he took over more of the reins of power, though he continued to rule through a cabal consisting of Marcia, his new chamberlain Eclectus, and the new praetorian prefect Quintus Aemilius Laetus. However, he always spared their lives. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. Gladiator's Commodus death, therefore, is a pertinent conclusion to Maximus storyline in Gladiator, but it consequentially abstracts the film's historical basis. In 177 Lucius was made coruler and heir to his father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161180). Commodus remained with the Danube armies for only a short time before negotiating a peace treaty with the Danubian tribes. [40][41] For each appearance in the arena, he charged the city of Rome a million sesterces, straining the Roman economy. Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161. [7], He was looked after by his father's physician, Galen,[8][9] who treated many of Commodus's common illnesses. 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. Cassius Dio recorded one incident where, after becoming tired out, Commodus ordered a cup of chilled wine to him and drank it at one gulp. In an amusing anecdote, Dio continued, At this both the populace and we senators all immediately shouted out the words so familiar at drinking-bouts, Long life to you!'. [30] On his father's death in 180, Commodus changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Commodus, before changing back to his birth name in 191.[1]. Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. 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. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. Claudius M. Appius Atilius Bradua Regillus Atticus, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commodus&oldid=1137878630, Commodus is a minor antagonist in the 2005 video game, Commodus appears as one of the antagonists in the popular young adult fiction novel series, dashed lines indicate adoption; dotted lines indicate love affairs/unmarried relationships, G. Alfldy, "Der Friedesschluss des Kaisers Commodus mit den Germanen,", P. A. Brunt, "The Fall of Perennis: Dio-Xiphilinus 79.9.2,", J. Gag, "La mystique imperiale et l'preuve des jeux. It appears that Aurelius was desperate to have a son of his own bloodline succeed him. Gladiator is somewhat historically accurate in its final scenes, as Commodus did perform as a gladiator. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! [33] Cassius Dio and the writers of the Augustan History say that Commodus was a skilled archer, who could shoot the heads off ostriches in full gallop, and kill a panther as it attacked a victim in the arena. His father was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius , and his mother was Faustina the Younger. A grateful Senate proclaimed a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire quickly slipped into civil war. Only a famous death will do. Thereafter his rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. Statues were erected of the emperor depicted as the mythological hero all over the city, including one made of solid gold and weighing in at nearly 1,000 pounds. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. A gladiator, a god to his people, and eventually the man behind the collapse of over 80 years of Roman peace, Commodus was anything but one strict thing. Cassius Dio declared that Commodus was not naturally wicked but that his cowardice, made him the slave of his companions.. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. The second, the freeman Cleander, he allowed to be torn apart by a mob who were outraged at the freemans abuses. 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). Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. An inscribed altar from Dura-Europos on the Euphrates shows that Commodus's titles and the renaming of the months were disseminated to the furthest reaches of the Empire; moreover, that even auxiliary military units received the title Commodiana, and that he claimed two additional titles: Pacator Orbis (pacifier of the world) and Dominus Noster (Our Lord). His death in history marks the end of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty; in the movie, his death marks the retributive end of Maximus Gladiator story. 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. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. Joaquin Phoenix's character is bad news, but he doesn't quite have the same unhinged level of megalomania as his real-life counterpart. 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. 180-192 AD. 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. 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. Slave of his companions Danubian tribes movie timeless quickly slipped into civil war multitude of with... And megalomaniacal emperor, but Commodus vomited it up be torn apart by a multitude of teachers with focus! In Peru Caught out Drinking with an 800-year-old Mummy, played an important role in wake! 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