Commodus

NAME Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Commodus is famous for his rule as Roman Emperor, his obsession with gladiatorial combat, and his notoriety for cruelty and megalomania. His reign is often cited as the beginning of Rome’s decline.

BIRTH Commodus was born on August 31, 161, in Lanuvium, near Rome.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Commodus was the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger, herself a descendant of Emperor Antoninus Pius. He was the first emperor to inherit the throne directly from his father in over a century, marking the succession on March 17, 180.

CHILDHOOD Growing up in a privileged imperial household, Commodus had early exposure to the responsibilities of rule. However, his youth foreshadowed his later cruelty and indulgence.

Commodus as a child

EDUCATION Despite being educated under the best tutors, Commodus is believed to have lacked the philosophical temperament his father hoped to instill in him. His interest leaned toward physical pursuits rather than scholarly ones.

CAREER RECORD 177-180 Co-Emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius 

180 Became sole emperor upon his father’s death and ruled until his assassination in 192.

APPEARANCE  Commodus was described as a handsome man with curly blonde hair. His face was long with protruding, hooded eyes and he was considered to be well-built and physically impressive.

FASHION His grooming, particularly the styling of his hair and beard, was meant to suggest civility with Roman citizens.

The emperor was fond of presenting himself as Hercules in public appearances, often dressing in a lion skin to emulate the mythical hero.

In the arena, Commodus often dressed as a gladiator, a style considered shocking and undignified for an emperor. He adorned himself extravagantly and expected his likeness to be revered as if he were a god.

Commodus' appearance seems to have been a significant aspect of his public persona. His good looks, combined with his physical prowess and carefully cultivated image, contributed to his reputation as a strong and virile emperor. However, it's worth noting that his focus on his appearance and physical exploits, particularly his gladiatorial performances, eventually became a source of ridicule and contributed to his unpopularity among the Roman elite. 

Commodus dressed as Hercules, c. 191Jofrey Rudel Marie-Lan Nguyen (Jastrow)

CHARACTER Commodus became increasingly tyrannical and megalomaniacal, renaming Rome and various institutions after himself. His brutal methods and capricious punishments reflected his sense of absolute power.

SENSE OF HUMOUR His sense of humor veered toward the cruel; he reportedly forced dwarfs, cripples, and other vulnerable people to fight to the death in the Colosseum for his amusement.

RELATIONSHIPS Commodus married Bruttia Crispina in 178 AD. Their marriage was arranged by their fathers, Marcus Aurelius and Gaius Bruttius Praesens. The marriage did not produce an heir, which led to a dynastic succession crisis.

Around 188 AD, Commodus accused Crispina of adultery, a charge likely fabricated to justify her banishment to the island of Capri. She was later executed, possibly in 191 AD.

Following his wife's demise, Commodus turned to Marcia, a woman with Christian sympathies. She had previously been the lover of Senator Marcus Ummidius Quadratus Annianus. Marcia, though not officially Commodus' wife, held significant influence over him and is believed to have encouraged policies favorable to Christians. Ultimately, she was involved in the conspiracy that led to Commodus' assassination in 192 AD.

Beyond these relationships, Commodus was reputed to have a vast harem, consisting of 300 women and 300 boys, according to some historical accounts.

MONEY AND FAME Commodus was lavish in his expenditures on the games and personal indulgences. He relished his fame as a gladiatorial fighter, demanding that Rome and its people celebrate his glory.

FOOD AND DRINK While Commodus had access to the finest foods and drink available to Roman nobility, historical accounts suggest he was more interested in physical pursuits like gladiatorial combat than in culinary indulgences. However, his diet would have been rich and varied, befitting his status as emperor.

MUSIC AND ARTS While Commodus would have been exposed to music, arts, and literature as part of his education and Roman cultural life, there's no strong evidence suggesting he had a particular interest or talent in these areas. His documented interests and activities were primarily focused on physical pursuits, gladiatorial combat, and self-aggrandizement rather than intellectual or artistic endeavors.

LITERATURE Commodus likely had access to Rome’s finest literary works, but he does not seem to have had an active interest in literary pursuits.

Commodus has appeared in various historical novels, often as a colorful or menacing character. Robert Graves' Claudius the God and I, Claudius touch on his legacy indirectly. Additionally, the novel Empire by Steven Saylor portrays Commodus in a fictionalized yet historically inspired context, adding depth to the mythology surrounding him.

NATURE Commodus took an interest in hunting, using his skill with a bow to kill animals during the games. He devised new methods for killing animals in the arena, such as using crescent-shaped arrows to decapitate ostriches

PETS As emperor, Commodus had access to a wide variety of exotic animals that were used in spectacles and games. These included lions, bears, wild boars, leopards, elephants, tigers, and other large animals from Africa

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Sport was Commodus' chief interest, especially horse racing, chariot racing, and, above all, gladiatorial combat. He fought and won 1,301 battles in the arena, as his opponents were forced to submit to him.

Commodus was known for his beast hunts in the arena. In one instance, he reportedly rescued a condemned criminal from the jaws of a leopard during a bout. 

During one of his performances, Commodus is said to have killed one hundred bears in a single day. 

Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators by Edwin Blashfield (1848–1936)

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Unlike his philosophically inclined father, Commodus showed little interest in Stoicism or philosophical matters.

Commodus did cultivate a strong association with the cult of Hercules. However, this seems to have been more about self-aggrandizement than genuine theological interest. He presented himself as Hercules in iconography and even claimed to be a god himself .

There is evidence that Commodus was initiated into the mystery cult of Mithraism, but he reportedly "dishonoured the rites".

POLITICS Commodus ruled as an autocrat, centralizing power and suppressing dissent. His political decisions were heavily influenced by his whims and indulgences, ultimately leading to increasing resentment from the Roman Senate and populace.

REIGN Commodus, a Roman emperor with a bit of a flair for the dramatic, took the reins of the empire in 177 AD. For a few years, he shared the throne with his dad, Marcus Aurelius, a pretty decent fellow by all accounts. But once Marcus kicked the bucket in 180, Commodus was the boss, and things started to go a bit pear-shaped.

This is where the Pax Romana, that golden age of peace and prosperity, started to tarnish. Instead of leading legions into battle like his dad, Commodus preferred the gladiator ring. He was quite the showman, prancing around the Colosseum, slaying lions and gladiators. It was a bit of a circus, really.

While he was busy playing hero, the empire was left in the hands of a bunch of palace officials – Saoterus, Perennis, and Cleander. They were the real power players, pulling the strings while Commodus was off chasing fame and glory.

SCANDAL Commodus’ reign was filled with scandal. He executed citizens, tortured servants, and appointed corrupt officials. By 190, he began renaming institutions after himself, an act that epitomized his detachment from reality.

MILITARY RECORD In 172 AD, when young Commodus was just a lad of 11, he joined his dad, Marcus Aurelius, on a military campaign in Carnuntum, a Roman outpost in modern-day Austria. This was during the Marcomannic Wars against a bunch of pesky Germanic tribes. The following year, in a show of support, Commodus was given the fancy title "Germanicus," signaling his involvement in the fighting.

A few years later, in 175-176 AD, Commodus, still just a teenager, accompanied his dad on a grand tour of the Eastern provinces. It was quite the adventure, no doubt.

From 178 AD until Marcus Aurelius' untimely demise in 180 CE, Commodus fought alongside his father on the Danube frontier. He was right there with the troops when the old man passed away.

After inheriting the empire, Commodus stuck around on the Danube for a bit, but he soon got tired of all the fighting. He decided to make peace with the local tribes and head back to Rome. From then on he showed little interest in Rome’s actual military affairs, instead focusing on personal indulgences and internal matters.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS When he was growing up, Commodus was looked after by his father's physician, Galen. Galen was tasked with ensuring that Commodus stayed healthy and well. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy.

Throughout his life, Commodus maintained excellent physical fitness, training for and participating in gladiatorial events, which he often showcased to the public.

HOMES As emperor, Commodus would have initially resided in the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill in Rome. This was the traditional residence of Roman emperors.

At some point during his reign, Commodus moved his residence from the Palace to the Aedes Vectilianae on the Caelian hill. He reportedly said he could not sleep in the Palace.

After having the Quintilii brothers executed in 182 AD, Commodus confiscated their villa for himself. This large and luxurious villa was located along the Via Appia Antica, just outside the traditional boundaries of Rome. Commodus apparently loved to live here for the tranquility of the countryside and the thermal baths

After attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium 

TRAVEL As emperor, Commodus would have had access to luxurious carriages (called carrucae) for travel on land. These were four-wheeled vehicles drawn by horses or mules, used for longer journeys with luggage.

For shorter distances, especially within the city, Commodus may have used litters carried by slaves. These were a common mode of transport for the wealthy and influential.

For military campaigns or faster travel, Commodus likely rode on horseback. We know he accompanied his father Marcus Aurelius on military campaigns, which would have involved horseback riding.

For longer journeys, especially across the Mediterranean, Commodus would have traveled by ship. The Roman Empire had an extensive network of sea routes and ports.

DEATH On December 31, 192, Commodus was assassinated by his wrestling partner Narcissus, who strangled him in his bath after high-ranking officials orchestrated the plot due to his increasingly erratic and tyrannical behavior.

Commodus was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, also known as Castel Sant'Angelo, in Rome. As was common for Roman emperors at the time, Commodus was cremated, and his ashes were placed in a cinerary urn within the mausoleum. Commodus' ashes were placed alongside those of other emperors and their family members, including Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Geta, and Caracalla.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA  Commodus has been depicted in various media over the years, often focusing on his tyrannical and erratic rule as well as his love for gladiatorial combat. Here are some notable portrayals:

1. Film: Gladiator (2000) Commodus is famously portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in Ridley Scott's Gladiator, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Phoenix's performance as the power-hungry and unstable emperor brought a new dimension to Commodus' character, portraying him as a manipulative and insecure ruler who seeks approval but rules with cruelty. This film greatly contributed to the popular image of Commodus as a villainous figure.

2. Television: Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire (2008) In this History Channel docudrama, Commodus is depicted in a more documentary-style narrative, emphasizing the real historical events and figures surrounding his life and reign. The show illustrates his descent into madness and the impact of his rule on the Roman Empire.

3. TV Series: Roman Empire (2016-2019) The Netflix series Roman Empire features Commodus prominently in its second season, titled Master of Rome. In this part-documentary, part-dramatized series, actor Aaron Jakubenko portrays Commodus. The show delves into his life and reign, presenting a detailed and somewhat dramatized look at his descent into megalomania and the effect his rule had on the empire.

4. Video Games In the game Ryse: Son of Rome (2013), inspired by Roman history, the character of Commodus appears as a villain. The game takes liberties with his character, but he is depicted as a brutal and corrupt ruler.

5. Comic Books and Graphic Novels Commodus occasionally appears in graphic novels and comics centered around Roman history, such as those by Valerio Manfredi. His character is often portrayed as corrupt and cruel, aligned with the historical accounts of his rule.

ACHIEVEMENTS Though his reign is often remembered negatively, Commodus' actions set the stage for future changes in the Roman Empire. However, his indulgence and neglect of state affairs have historically overshadowed any positive legacy, marking him as the catalyst for Rome’s eventual decline.