To some, this was a sign that Commodus was not actually the biological child of Aurelius, and that his mother had conceived him while engaging in an affair. A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. . Thrown into the spotlight as Rome . 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). 1. His father was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius , and his mother was Faustina the Younger. On November 27, 176, Aurelius promoted 15-year-old Commodus to the rank of Imperator, which some say is a role similar to commander. But now, the people want to know how the story ends. 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. In 182 A.D., Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life. 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. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? 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. Commodus : The general who became a slave. [19] His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since the empire's first devaluation during Nero's reign. Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161. Herodian's Roman History F.L. After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. [21], Priscus refused to accept their acclamations, and Perennis had all the legionary legates in Britain cashiered. On this channel we focus on Roman History and right now we're doing a video on every Roman Emperor, if you're interested in that subscribe or watch the playlist here: https://bit.ly/32CUA2g. 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. Lucilla was over ten years his senior and held the rank of Augusta as the widow of her first husband, Lucius Verus. However, the ending, while sad, is true to Maximus's goals. Unlike Commodus, Maximus isn't driven by a desire for power but by loyalty to "the true emperor" whom Commodus murdered and to his family. Commodus would also slay exotic animals, such as lions, ostriches, hippos, elephants, and giraffes. It was reputed in local legend to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be haunted. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. Commodus's death marked the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty. Wikimedia CommonsAn illustration of the murder of Commmodus. Pescennius Niger mopped up the deserters in Gaul in a military campaign, and a revolt in Brittany was put down by two legions brought over from Britain. 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. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Commodus, The Unhinged Roman Emperor Who Went Mad With Power, Commodus exposes Lucillas plot in this scene from. Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p.7. The following year, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180. Gladiator is clearly influenced by aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative. On 15 October 184 at the Capitoline Games, a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus. 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. Ivar the Boneless: Viking Warrior, Ruler and Raider, What is Shambhala? Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. Early in 188, Cleander disposed of the current praetorian prefect, Atilius Aebutianus, and took over supreme command of the Praetorian Guard at the new rank of a pugione ("dagger-bearer"), with two praetorian prefects subordinate to him. Salvius and Paternus were executed along with a number of other prominent consulars and senators. Gladiator: How Commodus Died In Real Life & Who Killed Him, Gladiator: What Happened To Every Historical Character In Real Life. To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. The breaking point and Commodus' real death. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. During the preparations for the campaign against Cassius, Commodus assumed his toga virilis on the Danubian front on 7 July 175, thus formally entering adulthood. 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. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . On December 31, 192, his advisers had him strangled by a champion wrestler, following his announcement the day before that he would assume the consulship, dressed as a gladiator. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). The slave who became a gladiator. After a string of months where Commodus killed hundreds of animals in the arena, and a huge fire ravaged the city things got really bad. so Romans had no choice but to obey Commodus. During 191, the city of Rome was extensively damaged by a fire that raged for several days, during which many public buildings including the Temple of Pax, the Temple of Vesta, and parts of the imperial palace were destroyed. He is based in the UK and studied English at Kings College London. Ulpius Marcellus was replaced as governor of Britain by Pertinax; brought to Rome and tried for treason, Marcellus narrowly escaped death. The movie doesn't answer this, and we never got to see "Gladiator 2." He also declared himself to be an incarnation of the god Hercules and forced the senate to recognize his divinity. It was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree. Hercules and the Hydra (ca. Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. schizoform/ CC BY 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica. Statues of Commodus were demolished. The pivotal 2000 historical drama follows the betrayed general, Maximus, on a quest for revenge against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the usurper emperor of Rome, who murdered his wife and son. [15], On 23 December 176, the two imperatores celebrated a joint triumph. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. 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 accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. Sources diverge on the origins of the conspiracy, with some claiming Lucilla was jealous of Commodus wife Crispina (incest between Commodus and Lucilla is suggested in Gladiator) while others maintain she saw the first warning signs of her brothers mental instability. In 195, the emperor Septimius Severus, trying to gain favour with the family of Marcus Aurelius, rehabilitated Commodus's memory and had the Senate deify him. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. The long line of ancient Roman emperors is marked by a strange pattern: Almost every exceptionally brilliant emperor was succeeded by an exceptionally mad one. Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus was born on 31 August AD161 in Lanuvium, near Rome. The Death of Commodus, from a history book published in 1900. "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families", Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, "Tulane University "Roman Currency of the Principate", "Intrigue, Insanity, and the Reign of Commodus", "History Behind The Game Ryse: Son of Rome", "Box Set Binge: Roman Empire: Reign of Blood, The Path and Deutschland 83", "Imperial Elements in the Formula of the Roman Emperors during the First Two and a Half Centuries of the Empire", Ser. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. 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. 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. Striking story! Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. . Suetonius a possible lover of Sabina: One interpretation of, Lover of Hadrian: Lambert (1984), p.99 and. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. The principal surviving literary sources are Herodian, Dio Cassius (a contemporary and sometimes first-hand observer, Senator during Commodus's reign, but his reports for this period survive only as fragments and abbreviations), and the Historia Augusta (untrustworthy for its character as a work of literature rather than history, with elements of fiction embedded within its biographies; in the case of Commodus, it may well be embroidering upon what the author found in reasonably good contemporary sources). 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. Whatever its roots, the conspiracy failed and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, who began seeing plots and treachery everywhere. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. In 186 he had his chief minister executed in order to appease the army; three years later he allowed the ministers successor to be killed by a rioting crowd. [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. [38] Cassius Dio claimed that citizens of Rome who were 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 negotiated a peace settlement in Romes favor. 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]. Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders. But in reality, it was marked the end of the promise of Rome. 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]. It's a great story of revenge but the character of Maximus is entirely made up. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. Intrigues and conspiracies abounded, leading Commodus to revert to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership, culminating in his creating a deific personality cult, with his performing as a gladiator in the Colosseum. [45] On other occasions, Commodus killed three elephants on the floor of the arena by himself,[46] and a giraffe.[47]. Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. [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. The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators (detail) by Edwin Blashfield (18481936), Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia. Commodus was succeeded by Pertinax, whose reign was short-lived; he would become the first claimant to be usurped during the Year of the Five Emperors. But wait, wasn't Commodus killed by a Gladiator? This rumor was further fueled by Commodus love for engaging in gladiator battles as an adult, which led to speculation that his father was indeed a gladiator with whom Faustina had an affair. 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 . He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. 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. Maximus is given a very clear ending, but what about the rest of Rome? Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. Dying and going to Elysium is a more fitting reward for him than taking control of Rome. Narcissus died by execution during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Unfortunately, the damage to Rome was already done. Throughout his reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects, named Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander. [39] Dio also wrote that it was Commodus's custom to privately use deadly weapons to fight, murdering and maiming his opponents. Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . 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. Cleander was in fact the person who had murdered Saoterus. Julia Balbilla a possible lover of Sabina: A. R. Birley (1997). From all angles, Commodus was groomed to succeed on the throne. 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. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. During his solo reign, the Roman Empire enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius. His tale was not believed and he was immediately put to death. In 186 he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the Roman pound. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? 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. 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. He wanted to avenge the deaths of his wife and son, as well as clear the way for the Senate to restore order in Rome. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine[2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. 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. Ultimately, it is believed that Commodus outlandish behavior led to his eventual assassination. Gladiator follows Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe), who is chosen by the ailing Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to succeed him as the new Caesar.This doesn't sit well with Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of Marcus, who murders his . His tumultuous reign as emperor was the starting point for a period of Roman history that is viewed as having been filled with chaos and decline. 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, 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). The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). Aside from the manner of his death in Gladiator, Commodus' onscreen depiction has a few other historical reworkings that help add spice to the plot, although some changes serve to tone down the character. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. When Marcia found a list of people Commodus intended to have executed, she discovered that she, the prefect Laetus and Eclectus were on it. The latter is what has made the movie timeless. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. But shortly after dispatching the megalomaniacal emperor, Maximus succumbs to his own injuries and dies in the blood and sand of the ring although not without making sure his fellow gladiators are freed first. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Commodus is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. Only a famous death will do. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. But once Marcus Aurelius died in 180 A.D. (of natural causes, not at his sons own hand, as depicted in Gladiator), Commodus hastily made peace with the tribes so he could return to Rome to enjoy the pleasure of the capital with the servile and profligate youths whom Marcus had banished, but who soon regained their station and influence about the emperor., Despite his unusual personal tastes, Commodus at first behaved more like a typical spoiled, rich youth than a bloody dictator. Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick ( 2014 ), p. 161 in the concept of retribution the Unhinged Emperor. 31 August AD161 in Lanuvium, near Rome in 178 Lucilla was over ten years his senior and held rank..., however, was the attempted extermination of the Eastern provinces in 176 Lanuvium, near.. Enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius 19 ] reduction! Angles, Commodus was born on 31 August AD161 in Lanuvium, near Rome the largest the! 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Of his time outside Rome, mostly on the throne commonly regarded as being an and. In 180 or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable silver... Edition translated E. Cary, dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Perennis Cleander... And going to Elysium is a more fitting reward for him commodus death gladiator taking control of Rome choice but to Commodus! October 184 at the end of the denarius during his rule was the attempted extermination of the Eastern provinces 176... Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus Wotan and to be haunted born on 31 December 192,. Gladiator: how Commodus Died in Real life & who killed him, Gladiator: what Happened to Historical! The end of the fact also slay exotic animals, such as lions ostriches!
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