His tale wasn't believed and he was immediately put to death. “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. 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. C 1, 9. Commodus' death marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. [38] On another occasion, Commodus killed three elephants on the floor of the arena by himself. 0 2. Salvius and Paternus were executed along with a number of other prominent consulars and senators. [12] His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since the empire's first devaluation during Nero's reign. Gibbon p. 107 "*1 Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe ... the most useless of the quadrupeds". On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus' food but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath. After this look at Commodus, check out these interesting facts about Ancient Rome. Rome is Burning 45m. Commodus was born in 161 AD near Rome, the son of Marcus Aurelius, the wise ruling emperor. The second, the freeman Cleander, he allowed to be torn apart by a mob who were outraged at the freeman’s abuses. Despite his notoriety, and considering the importance of his reign, Commodus' years in power are not well chronicled. Er hieß nun Imperator Caesar Mar… He accompanied his father to Germania a year later, where Aurelius died in 180, leaving Commodus as sole and undisputed emperor of Rome. Commodus vollständiger Name wechselte mehrmals; geboren wurde er als Lucius Aurelius Commodus, seit der Erhebung zum Mitkaiser 177 hieß er Imperator Caesar Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Augustus, bei der Übernahme der Alleinherrschaft im März 180 nahm er den Namen Antoninus und im Oktober desselben Jahres auch das Pränomen seines verstorbenen Vaters Mark Aurel an. 1, eingeleitet und übersetzt von E. Hohl, bearbeitet und übersetzt von E. Merten (1976) 138. 0 2. Updated October 06, 2019. [32] Citizens of Rome 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. He also reduced the silver purity from 79 percent to 76 percent – the silver weight dropping from 2.57 grams to 2.34 grams. The assassination attempt marked a turning point in Commodus’ reign, for “once [he had] tasted human blood, he became incapable of pity or remorse.” He began executing people without regard for rank, wealth, or sex. Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. He was the tenth of fourteen children and the only son to survive - his twin brother Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antonius died at the age of four. Commodus was born on 31 August AD 161 in Lanuvium, near Rome. Unrest around the empire increased, with large numbers of army deserters causing trouble in Gaul and Germany. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. He also declared himself to be an incarnation of the god Hercules and forced the senate to recognize his divinity. 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. 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. His reign was nothing like his predecessors in bloodletting, at least in Rome. [29] 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. He was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, who would later portray Arthur Fleck in Joker. 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. Commodus was the son of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.He was the brother of Princess Lucilla, and uncle of Lucius.He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. One Roman who lived through Commodus’s reign complained that he had brought Rome “from a … His reign is commonly considered to mark the end of the golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana. After serving in battle on the northern frontier in 178 and 179, together with Aurelius, Commodus returned to Rome in 180 after his father’s death. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. Disdaining the more philosophic inclinations of his father, Commodus was extremely proud of his physical prowess. 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). Commodus in 180 AD. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. (MARCUS AURELIUS COMMODUS ANTONINUS).. Roman Emperor, born 161; died at Rome, 31 December, 192.He was the son of Marcus Aurelius and Anna Faustina, and was the first among the Roman emperors to enjoy the distinction of being born in the purple.. His reign, 180-193, was the turning-point in the greatness of Rome.Some historians have attempted to exonerate Commodus from the charge of … [27] 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. 4 He Didn’t Actually Do Any Of His Duties. [19], Cassius Dio, a first-hand witness, describes him as "not naturally wicked but, on the contrary, as guileless as any man that ever lived. There are a lot of reasons. 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!'”. Commodus (Imp. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. Die ''Terme Taurine'' von Civitavecchia – ein römisches Heilbad. Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, To “accept kinship with Commodus ... the bluntly pragmatic decision was taken to deify the former emperor, thus legitimizing Severus’ seizure of power.” See, Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. Lv 7. Pertinax. Commodus: emperor of the Roman world (r. 180-192). 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.” However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. 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. In 182 A.D., Commodus’ sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brother’s life. Tiberius (Ti. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. Had Commodus been emperor from AD 177, no-one doubted that true power remained in the hands of his father. He was made the youngest consul in Roman history in 177 and elevated to co-augustus with his father, having been given the title imperator in 176. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[16]. As the son of emperor Marcus Aurelius, Commodus was the first Roman emperor to have been "born in the purple," and thus dynastically selected to be his successor. But the city's inhabitants may have found themselves in a potentially dangerous predicament when Emperor Commodus was assassinated in A.D. 192. It was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. A small group of conspirators, including the emperor’s chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, decided to kill him. In fact, the rule of Commodus might have gone down as quite unremarkable in the history of Rome were it not for one unfortunate incident. Pertinax ( / ˈpɜːrtɪnæks /; Publius Helvius Pertinax; 1 August 126 – 28 March 193) was a Roman soldier and politician who ruled as Roman emperor for the first three months of 193. Commodus was a Roman emperor during the early years of the first millennium. On November 27, 176, Aurelius promoted 15-year old Commodus to the rank of Imperator, which some say is a role similar to commander. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Commodus was the tenth of fourteen children born to Aurelius, and was ultimately the only surviving son. Gaius / Caligula (C. Caesar Augustus Germanicus) They then hired his favorite wrestler known as Narcissusus and he murdered the Emperor in his bath. c. bribing the army to support him. Methuen, 1898. After Commodus was assassinated, a senator called Pertinax was chosen to replace him. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. But things took a wrong turn. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercaléenne,", M.P. 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. The fall of Perennis brought a new spate of executions: Aufidius Victorinus committed suicide. 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 brother’s orders a year later. The emperor now changed his name to Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. He thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules, frequently emulating the legendary hero's feats by appearing in the arena to fight a variety of wild animals. – Historia Augusta Bd. His assassination in 192 marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. English translation) UCLA Press, Berkeley CA (1961), 1.15.1-9, Dio (Cassius. In 180 AD, Marcus Aurelius died, leaving Commodus as sole Emperor of Rome. Aurelius’ physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. Quadratus and Quintianus were executed. Suetonius a possible lover of Sabina: One interpretation of, Lover of Hadrian: Lambert (1984), p. 99 and. Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. [17], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. Whereas the reign of Marcus Aurelius had been marked by almost continuous warfare, Commodus' rule was comparatively peaceful in the military sense, but was also characterised by political strife and the increasingly arbitrary and capricious behaviour of the emperor himself. Silver Spoon in Mouth. Herodian's Roman History F.L. Biography. 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. In April 175, Avidius Cassius, Governor of Syria, declared himself Emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius had died. Husband of Ceionia Fabia: Levick (2014), p. 164. It seems that the movie took liberties with the truth. See, D. Fishwick, The Imperial Cult in the Latin West (Leiden, 1987-91), 473. Caesar Augustus) AD 14-37. 8 years ago. The first, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, Commodus put to death after becoming convinced he was conspiring against him. [7], He was looked after by his father's physician, Galen,[8][9] who treated many of Commodus' common illnesses. Now at the zenith of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business. Updated October 06, 2019 Commodus (August 31, 161–December 31, 192 CE) was the emperor of Rome between 180–192 CE. [35] Later, he decapitated a running ostrich with a specially designed dart[36] and afterwards carried his sword and the bleeding head of the dead bird over to the Senators' seating area and motioned as though they were next. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. Augustus (Imp. The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. His recorded actions do tend to show a rejection of his father's policies, his father's advisers, and especially his father's austere lifestyle, and an alienation from the surviving members of his family. [16], Priscus refused to accept their acclamations, and Perennis had all the legionary legates in Britain cashiered. Caesar P. Helvius Pertinax Augustus) 193: Didius Julianus (Imp. Statues of Commodus were demolished. However, his reign was short-lived because of the resentment he created through his reforms. Commodus (31 August 161-31 December 192) was the Emperor of the Roman Empire from 180 to 192, succeeding Marcus Aurelius and preceding Pertinax.. Papirius Dionysius was executed, too. [39] Finally, Commodus killed a giraffe, which was considered to be a strange and helpless beast.[40]. 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. Commodus's sister ruled briefly after Commodus was killed by Maximus. Muller Edition 1.15.7, Echols, Edward C. "Herodian of Antioch's History of the Roman Empire." After Maximus killed Commodus in the Colloseum, the emperor was chosen from the winner of a gladiator fight between two emperor wannabes. Gibbon claimed that the period of their rule was the happiest period in human existence.The Roman Empire was largely peaceful and well-governed. In 172 AD, during the Marcomannic War, Commodus was given the victory title Germanicus. ), and Earnest Cary. Commodus was appointed as a co-ruler, at the age of 16, after fighting alongside his father and emperor, Marcus Aurelius, during the ‘Marcomannic Wars.’ At 29, 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. … Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders. The senate acclaimed Pertinax as emperor, damned the memory of Commodus, and undid all his ambitious renaming. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. Condianus and Maximus were executed on the pretext that, while they were not implicated in any plots, their wealth and talent would make them unhappy with the current state of affairs. Commodus became co-ruler with his … Other victims at this time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus' cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, and his brother-in-law Mamertinus. We lived and worked in Rome for four years and spent a lot of time learning about the art, architecture, culture and history. Reign. By 192 A.D., the Roman people had had enough. As he was physically strong, his chief interest was in sport: he took part in horse racing, chariot racing, and combats with beasts and men, mostly in private but also on occasion in public. Commodus (/ˈkɒmədəs/;[4] 31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was Roman emperor jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 176 until his father's death in 180, and solely until 192. In 187, one of the leaders of the deserters, Maternus, came from Gaul intending to assassinate Commodus at the Festival of the Great Goddess in March, but he was betrayed and executed. Pertinax succeeded him but only for about three months. The legions were renamed Commodianae, the fleet which imported grain from Africa was termed Alexandria Commodiana Togata, the Senate was entitled the Commodian Fortunate Senate, his palace and the Roman people themselves were all given the name Commodianus, and the day on which these reforms were decreed was to be called Dies Commodianus. Cleander proceeded to concentrate power in his own hands and to enrich himself by becoming responsible for all public offices: he sold and bestowed entry to the Senate, army commands, governorships and, increasingly, even the suffect consulships to the highest bidder. Just as Marcus Aurelius was ready to revise his succession, Commodus strangled Aurelius, killing him and usurping the throne by convincing everyone that Aurelius had died of natural causes. Roman History. d. giving land to poor people. Marcus Aurelius was a student of Stoic philosophy. Unfortunately Pertinax miscalculated when he tried to reign in the Praetorian Guard. An illustration of the murder of Commmodus. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and hale. Commodus' reign was filled with bad decisions, causing the people of Rome to suffer. 16. Commodus was the first Emperor born into the ‘purple’. Dissatisfaction with this state of affairs would lead to a series of conspiracies and attempted coups, which in turn eventually provoked Commodus to take charge of affairs, which he did in an increasingly dictatorial manner. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. Commodus was a bad emperor, but the time itself was hard. But yeah, Commodus is the turning point for the major crisis period that almost destroyed the empire. After the death of Commodus, Pertinax became emperor. His great simplicity, however, together with his cowardice, made him the slave of his companions, and it was through them that he at first, out of ignorance, missed the better life and then was led on into lustful and cruel habits, which soon became second nature."[20]. Emperor. Caesar M. Didius Severus Julianus Augustus) 193: Septimius Severus (Imp. Jay. He knew that he would be an Emperor from childhood. Usapyon (Japanese: USA (うさ)ピョン, USApyon) is a Rank B, Ice-attribute 'Merican Yo-kai of the Shady tribe and the Uwanosora tribe starting in Yo-kai Watch 4. Up until then he was the youngest consul in the history of Rome being around the age of 15. [33] Privately, it was also his custom to kill his opponents during practice matches. And the wise Marcus Aurelius, known as the “Philosopher” and the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” would be succeeded by his son Commodus, whose descent into madness would be immortalized throughout the millennia (including a heavily fictionalized account in the popular 2000 film Gladiator). I mean, he ruled as emperor for 12 years before being assassinated, and he co-ruled with Marcus Aurelius for three years before that. Commodus was awarded the title of Augustus in 177 by Aurelius, making him co-emperor of Rome. The Senate announced Commodus a ‘public enemy’ and righted the names the conceited emperor had altered after himself. The first crisis of the reign came in 182, when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother. Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. The benevolent emperor Claudius who improved Rome with public works was followed by his stepson Nero, who infamously burnt it to the ground. Born Lucius Aurelius Commodus, he is known as a ruler who designed a major turning point in Roman history. The title suggests that Commodus was present at his father's victory over the Marcomanni. The era of the ‘Five Good Emperors’ is often seen as the high point of Rome and Roman civilization. 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...). The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. As an emperor, Commodus soon became a disappointment to Marcus Aurelius. His statues were also torn down. The Roman Emperors (1985) p. 99. The birth of a royal son was a big deal at the time: Commodus was the first (and for a very long time, the only) Roman emperor “born in the purple,” meaning born during his dad’s reign. These tendencies now increased to megalomaniacal proportions. During Yo-kai Watch 3 he met and became the partner of Hailey Anne Thomas. Far from celebrating his descent from Marcus Aurelius, the actual source of his power, he stressed his own personal uniqueness as the bringer of a new order, seeking to re-cast the empire in his own image. Foreign invaders rarely breached the frontiers of t… Despite his education, he did not inherit any of his father’s work. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. 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