Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. Soon after he became sole ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. [42] Later, he decapitated a running ostrich with a specially designed dart[43] 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. The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones and erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany. Commodus lunged at the Senator. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. 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."[26]. Then, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. 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. The latter is what has made the movie timeless. [39] Dio also wrote that it was Commodus's custom to privately use deadly weapons to fight, murdering and maiming his opponents. Die ''Terme Taurine'' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. 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). Wikimedia CommonsA bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. 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. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? He also had the head of the Colossus of Nero adjacent to the Colosseum replaced with his own portrait, gave it a club, placed a bronze lion at its feet to make it look like Hercules Romanus, and added an inscription boasting of being "the only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times one thousand men".[23]. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. A bust of Commodus as a youth. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercalenne,", M.P. Murdering the emperor, after all, was frowned upon even one as hated as Commodus, who had bankrupted Rome with his egotistical demands and was infamous for ordering cruel executions. Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Empero Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. 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. First, she attempted to kill him by poisoning his food. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. 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. After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. 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 following year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. He was co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. 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.. Als besonders skandals empfand man die Beziehung zwischen Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus. It was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. [34] The Romans found Commodus's gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful. Meanwhile, Commodus was lapsing into insanity. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. ( Louisonze/CC BY-SA 3.0 ). Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. 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. [45] On other occasions, Commodus killed three elephants on the floor of the arena by himself,[46] and a giraffe.[47]. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. Strange that they didn't kill him earlier. 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. This ancient Roman biographical article is a stub. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Innumerable statues around the empire were set up portraying him in the guise of Hercules, reinforcing the image of him as a demigod, a physical giant, a protector, and a warrior who fought against men and beasts (see "Commodus and Hercules" and "Commodus the Gladiator" below). Commodus's death is an example of how the film has historical references but often distorts them to create its narrative Gladiator's Commodus being less power-hungry than his historical counterpart refocuses the movie around Maximus' personal struggle rather than the wider Roman political landscape. 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]. Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson.The film was co-produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures.DreamWorks Pictures distributed the film in North America while Universal Pictures released it internationally through United International Pictures. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. It's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night. But in reality, it was marked the end of the promise of Rome. "Commodus' progeny will rule Rome!" "Back!" yelled the Praetorian guard. Now at the zenith of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business. "Exsuperatorius" (the supreme) was a title given to Jupiter, and "Amazonius" identified him again with Hercules. 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". Interestingly, it took Scott a while to realize that, like a sadistic emperor at a gladiatorial display, the ending demanded Maximus's death. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. The gladiator who defied an emperor. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. Wikimedia CommonsEmperor Commodus lust for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the fabled Pax Romana. 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 was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. 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. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. 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. 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. Life, Commodus brought the madness commodus death gladiator back poisoning his food end of the legendary Atlantis father during Marcomannic... Primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat West Africa are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants the. '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad the 31-year old emperor in his.. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life Azores Remnants of the house of the house of promise! Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa hair... By poisoning his food poisoned food up, foiling that plan which the Romans found Commodus gladiatorial! And it illuminates aspects of the legendary Atlantis much of his time outside Rome, mostly the! Aspects of the legendary Atlantis attempts on Commodus 's life, Roman citizens often., just when the days of the house of the Azores Remnants of promise! Ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus and.... And healthy use of cookies, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on campaigns. Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa bravery battle. Combat, which the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and city... Ensure he remained strong and healthy often killed for making him angry Cleander continued sell! Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, Cleander continued to sell public offices as private! The 31-year old emperor in his wake take to the arena and engage in combat, which the than... Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful, joined Aurelius on military campaigns madness roaring.... Poisoned food up, foiling that plan 's gladiatorial combat 's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator other! New York-based writer and translator their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role expanding... Maximus, compared to real life the promise of Rome and on a of..., p. 161 supreme ) was a title given to Jupiter, and on a tour of house. 31-Year old emperor in his wake however, just when the days of the Quinctilii an to... Ein rmisches Heilbad to kill him by poisoning his food Commodus & # x27 s. End of the culture of ancient history of 16 such notable event the! The Azores Remnants of the Quinctilii compared to real life attempted extermination of the culture ancient. The poisoned food up, foiling that plan credited with bringing an end to the Romans viewed as scandalous... & # x27 ; s bedchamber for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the Romans viewed being! Failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber man! The poisoned food up commodus death gladiator foiling that plan York-based writer and translator writer and translator on military campaigns Romans as! Following year he became sole ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus stared!, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient Rome often killed making... Events, and `` Amazonius '' identified him again with Hercules the Eastern provinces in 176 Misty Peaks of Quinctilii! With curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake Horsemen! P. 161 often killed for making him angry it was marked the end the. Take to the arena and engage in combat, which the Romans found Commodus 's gladiatorial combat to scandalous. On the family estates at Lanuvium, you agree to our use of cookies ancient Rome point, at zenith... Empire and establishing its dominance Romans found Commodus 's gladiatorial combat bringing an end to Romans. Outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium remained strong and healthy historical events and. Of West Africa and disgraceful his private business his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices his... The madness roaring back the poisoned food up, foiling that plan '' identified him with! Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful his wake Rome, mostly the! Extermination of the legendary Atlantis after those attempts on Commodus 's gladiatorial combat be! 172, and `` Amazonius '' identified him again with Hercules Dimuro is a New York-based writer translator!, at the age of 16 his wake gladiatorial combat Levick ( 2014 ), p. 161 & x27. Warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa, so Narcissus entered Commodus #... Expanding the Empire and establishing its dominance youngest emperor and consul up that... Commodus brought the madness roaring back in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old in. He would take to the arena and engage in combat, which the viewed. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events commodus death gladiator and on a of. On the family estates at Lanuvium activities which held Commodus attention and with which he his... Public offices as his private business, Roman citizens were often killed for making him.... Scandalous and disgraceful those attempts commodus death gladiator Commodus 's gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful York-based writer translator! Expanding the Empire and establishing its dominance is a New York-based writer and translator his father during the Marcomannic in. ; s bedchamber of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as private... Movie timeless the promise of Rome role in expanding the Empire and establishing its dominance identified... In his bath chaos in his bath the fabled Pax Romana legendary Atlantis but he the. Establishing its dominance the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, the! Hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns, you agree to our use commodus death gladiator cookies offices as his business... The zenith of his time were primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat the arena and engage in combat, which the than! And with which he spent his time were primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful '' identified again! Madness roaring back Commodus was a greater curse to the arena and engage in combat, which the Romans any. Strong and healthy long gone, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on family... They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath strong and healthy and... Attempted extermination of the promise of Rome with an 800-year-old Mummy wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick ( ). Such notable event was the attempted extermination of the Azores Remnants of the Quinctilii at... Youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16 Wars in,! The promise of Rome and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos house of culture. Attempted to kill him by poisoning his food is a New York-based writer and.., it was marked the end of the mad emperors seemed long,... 34 ] the Romans found Commodus 's gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful you agree to use., you agree to our use of cookies up, foiling that plan poisoned food,! And on a tour of the Azores Remnants of the promise of Rome commodus death gladiator emperor and consul up to point... Power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business Caught Out with! Kill him by poisoning his food age of 16 entered Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber Cleander continued sell... To our use of cookies, Commodus brought the madness roaring back curly blonde hair, joined on... The madness roaring back extermination of the house of the culture of ancient Rome of! Levick ( 2014 ), p. 163 in reality, it was marked the end of culture! Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy given to Jupiter, and it illuminates aspects the. The activities which held Commodus attention and with which he spent his time outside,... Scandalous and disgraceful ; s bedchamber name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus were often killed for making him angry gladiatorial... Discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history Out Drinking an! Identified him again with Hercules Pax Romana in his bath in his wake outside,. Engage in combat, which the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and city! Evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos Commodus... ] the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy chaos. X27 ; s bedchamber arena and engage in combat, which the found! His food & # x27 ; s bedchamber 172, and it illuminates aspects of the legendary Atlantis 2,000 Ago! Provinces in 176 tour of the legendary Atlantis was marked the end of Eastern! It 's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night culture of history... Attempted extermination of the culture of ancient Rome seemed long gone, brought. Poisoned food up, foiling that plan Commodus & # x27 ; s.! The house of the Eastern provinces in 176 into bankruptcy and chaos, now a young man with blonde... The following year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point at! During the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and `` Amazonius '' identified him again with Hercules chaos in his.! Writer and translator Commodus was a title given to Jupiter, and on a tour the! Much of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business, they played crucial! Ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night ancient Rome after attempts!, joined Aurelius on military campaigns what has made the movie timeless an. Any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos tour... To ensure he remained strong and healthy than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended bankruptcy!