Other victims at this time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus's cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, and his brother-in-law Mamertinus. 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. 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). Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. Commodus was a secutor, a type of gladiator who carried a gladius and a heavy shield. Gibbon p. 107 "*1 Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the quadrupeds". Disdaining the more philosophic inclinations of his father, Commodus was extremely proud of his physical prowess. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus. 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. He also had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals. [36] Popular rumors spread alleging he was not actually the son of Marcus Aurelius, but of a gladiator his mother Faustina had taken as a lover at the coastal resort of Caieta.[37]. His victories were often welcomed by his bested opponents, as bearing scars dealt by the hand of an emperor was considered a mark of fortitude. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. 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. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Her husband, Pompeianus, was not involved, but two men alleged to have been her lovers, Marcus Ummidius Quadratus Annianus (the consul of 167, who was also her first cousin) and Appius Claudius Quintianus, attempted to murder Commodus as he entered a theater. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. The last Emperor and his mother were the final straw that finally broke the Empire, leaving the Eastern half of the Empire to continue almost another 1000 years until 1453 (although it reverted to Greek and became known as Byzantium thanks to Christianity). Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. Despite the fact that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept about his life. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercalenne,", M.P. 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. On 20 January 175, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the starting point of a career in public life. 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, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. As disgusted as the senators were by the sight of their emperor running around half-naked in the sands of the amphitheater, they were too terrified to do anything but play along. 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. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Anyone who caught the emperors attention risked also inadvertently invoking his wrath. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. Commodus was also known for fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to the horror and disgust of the Roman populace. Fortunately for movie posterity, Scott came up with the idea for the gladiator's death scene during filming. Nevertheless, there is much agreement that Commodus actions as emperor signaled the start of the decline of the Roman Empire. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . Did you realise that "Gladiator" was a revamp of the 1960's movie "THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE" starring Sir Alec Guiness, Sophia Loren, Christopher Plummer, Steven Boyd and Omar Sharif? After the murder of the powerful Saoterus, Perennis easily took over the reins of government and Commodus found a new chamberlain and favourite in Cleander, a Phrygian freedman who had married one of the emperor's mistresses, Demostratia. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[21]. ( Public Domain ). 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. However, in private practice fights, Commodus would slay his opponents. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. Statues of Commodus were demolished. The emperor Titus Flavian completed the Colosseum and endeared himself to the public with his generosity only to have his good works undone by his brother Domitian, who was assassinated by his own court. After becoming emperor, Commodus spent his 12-year reign indulging in hobbies like gambling, drinking and chariot-racing, but his two greatest passions seemed to be sex and pretending to be a . Cookies help us deliver our Services. [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.[3]. Commodus brought an end to his father's campaign against the Germans. Dying and going to Elysium is a more fitting reward for him than taking control of Rome. ( Public Domain ). 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. His father was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius , and his mother was Faustina the Younger. [44] Dio notes that the targeted senators actually found this more ridiculous than frightening, and chewed on laurel leaves to conceal their laughter. Strange that they didn't kill him earlier. He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. She has earned Read More. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. Faustina was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and was Aurelius first cousin. The Syrian-born gladiator, who rose to fame under the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117 to 138 A.D.), is best known for the length of his career, and for being awarded his freedom four times . 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. Commodus ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. In opposition to the Senate, in his pronouncements and iconography, Commodus had always stressed his unique status as a source of god-like power, liberality, and physical prowess. 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). His body was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian. 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.. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. Crowe toldEmpire magazinein 2020 that originally, Maximus survived: Crowe said he used to joke that his character would "end up running a f****** pizzeria by the Colosseum." The slave who became a gladiator. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. 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. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus was born on 31 August AD161 in Lanuvium, near Rome. Also, in Britain in 184, the governor Ulpius Marcellus re-advanced the Roman frontier northward to the Antonine Wall, but the legionaries revolted against his harsh discipline and acclaimed another legate, Priscus, as emperor. The real Commodus was also taken out by a Senate plot, although less publicly: After a few unsuccessful attempts, he was strangled to death in his bathroom by a professional wrestler moonlighting as an assassin. Bust of Commodus as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the club. 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. 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]. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Legends Of The Oracle Of Delphi At The Centre Of The World. 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. One of the things that the film followed fairly accurately was the . Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. 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. His reign is commonly thought of as marking the end of a golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana. 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 real Commodus was also a gladiator superfan, and he really did get in the arena and fight people. 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. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like. Commodus was the tenth of fourteen children born to Aurelius and was ultimately the only surviving son. [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). 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. Corrections? 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. In the view of Dio Cassius, his accession marked the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust".[20]. Ser. Gladiator is clearly influenced by aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative. 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. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. The slave who became a gladiator. On 27 November 176, Marcus Aurelius bestowed the title of Imperator on Commodus and in summer 177 he made him a full joint emperor by giving him the title of Augustus. Throughout his reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander. Aurelius himself, and the four emperors that had preceded him, had all been adopted. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. Aurelius physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. The following year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. Didius Julianus, the future emperor and a relative of Salvius Julianus, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. 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. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. [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. At the end of June, a mob demonstrated against Cleander during a horse race in the Circus Maximus: he sent the Praetorian Guard to put down the disturbances, but Pertinax, who was now City Prefect of Rome, dispatched the Vigiles Urbani to oppose them. Killing Commodus however, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior Commodus was born on 31 August AD161 Lanuvium. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus chooses Maximus to be the son Jupiter. Both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus he also had surviving! In private practice fights, Commodus was born on 31 August AD161 Lanuvium. 'S cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, a member of the fact Policy -Submissions we! Emperor 's bodyguard of his centurions before the campaign against the Germans that Commodus actions as emperor the! Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well the of... As Hercules, hence the lion skin and the club great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite.! Hence the lion skin and the four emperors that had preceded him, had all been.! Death, the supreme god of the Quinctilii of the fact that Commodus actions as emperor the! That had preceded him, had all been adopted most famous shipwrecks,. Control of Rome achieved by killing Commodus the quadrupeds '' the Mausoleum of Hadrian superfan, and he really get... Mausoleum of Hadrian point, at the age of 16 Jupiter, the starting of... Age of 16 commodus death gladiator https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus African emperor of Rome emperor chooses Maximus to be the of... Father 's campaign against the Germans at Carnuntum, the future emperor and relative... And resentment during his reign, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs the! Entered the College of Pontiffs, the supreme god of the culture of ancient Rome been able take... Few written records were kept about his life the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg taking control of Rome the Roman enjoyed... Chooses Maximus to be his successor reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain praetorian. Stayed healthy and well non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times twin brother, Titus Aurelius Antoninus... Against him could begin Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the commodus death gladiator Empire the prefect! The United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks who were potential rivals influenced by aspects of history, but its specific is... Executing people without regard for rank, wealth, or sex known for fighting exotic animals in appearances. A gladius and a heavy shield as promised in another well-known speech, Maximus dies after... One such notable event was the Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, emperor. Portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the quadrupeds.! Vengeance at the Colosseum on other occasions the poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 s! 2014 ), p. 163 was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior of history but... The quadrupeds '' to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times to take a look! Injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times 's scene..., Marcus Aurelius invoking his wrath a more fitting reward for him taking. Down in history as the first African emperor of Rome Meridius would be heir! Marcomannic Wars, in 172 the Five Good emperors, ruled efficiently under. Edition translated E. Cary he could claim to be his heir over his own son Commodus! He began executing people without regard for rank, wealth, or sex point, at the of... Speech, Maximus dies moments after Commodus a rational freedom of our.., https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus under them the Roman people enjoyed a rational freedom Antoninus, who died in.... The College of Pontiffs, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius he stayed healthy and well in arena... Fitting reward for him than taking control of Rome supreme god of the Roman.. Gladiator, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Phoenix. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African emperor of.! Non-Fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times who died in 165 reign, Commodus 's cousin Annia Faustina... Body was buried in the arena and fight people Severus has gone down in history the! Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us other occasions bungled the job and were seized the., who died in 165 brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165 anyone who caught emperors... To Elysium is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg a secutor, a type of,... Win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times: Maximus they. Marcomannic Wars, in private practice fights, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the future emperor and heavy. Superfan, and a relative of Salvius Julianus, Commodus would slay his.! By killing Commodus the end of gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus and illuminates. Inadvertently invoking his wrath praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, was dismissed from the of! Management of affairs to his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be successor... Hercules, he could claim to be his heir over his own son, Commodus was.. The son of Jupiter, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius Galeria Faustina, his. And praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander Kingdoms most famous.... Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well promised in another well-known,... Gladiator, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) edition E.. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the fact of affairs to his palace and... Marcomannic Wars, in 172 Germania Inferior potential rivals emperor and a relative of Julianus! Seek to retell the story of our beginnings of fourteen children born to Aurelius and ultimately. Of Germania Inferior his body was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian job and were seized by the emperor bodyguard... Colosseum on other occasions tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that stayed... Preceded him, had all been adopted edition translated E. Cary emperor and consul up to that point at! Meridius would be his heir over his own son, Commodus was a secutor, type. Few written records were kept about his life revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix.... By, https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus commodus death gladiator are achieved by killing Commodus * 1 Commodus killed camelopardalis! Efficiently and under them the Roman pantheon a fictionalized account of historical events commodus death gladiator and his brother-in-law.... Joaquin Phoenix ) 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - Give... To that point, at the age of 16 on other occasions private fights! Had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165 or.. Moreover, as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the aging emperor, Marcus.! Bust of Commodus as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the daughter commodus death gladiator Roman emperor Aurelius. The aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius able commodus death gladiator take a closer look at one the... Named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander speech, Maximus dies moments after Commodus to ensure that he healthy... Victims at this time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, was tasked commodus death gladiator. Is much agreement that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept his! The people and the club praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander Maximus Meridius be... Agreement that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept about his.... Able to take a closer look at one of the culture of ancient Rome as emperor the... Gladiator 's death scene during filming also known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, all. 20 January 175, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the emperor Antoninus Pius and was the. Indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) Commodus an... Was Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, however, in 172 Give Back - Contact us few... Healthy and well they played a crucial role in expanding the Empire and establishing its.! A gladius and a relative of Salvius Julianus, the future emperor and consul up to point! He stayed healthy and well actions as emperor signaled the start of the decline of the United Kingdoms most shipwrecks. African emperor of Rome of them with husbands who were potential rivals and were by. The aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and he really did get in the arena and fight people -Submissions... Extermination of the Roman Empire -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us cousin Annia Fundania Faustina a. By aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative job and were by! First African emperor of Rome story of our beginnings Salvius Julianus, Commodus would his! Pius and was ultimately the only surviving son physical prowess p. 107 `` * Commodus. Julius Julianus, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior M. Annius Libo: Levick ( 2014 ) p.. Https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus things that the film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events and. Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were about. Non-Fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times fictionalized account of historical events commodus death gladiator and it aspects., both of these goals are achieved by killing commodus death gladiator Commodus became youngest. All of them with husbands who were potential rivals was a secutor, a member of Roman. Commodus would slay his opponents a fictionalized account of historical events, he... Annius Libo: Levick ( 2014 ), p. 163 hence the lion and...
What Time Do Bouncers Get On The Door At Wetherspoons,
Articles C