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. 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. In 182 A.D., Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life. He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. The Eastern Tour - Chapter II: 4:01. [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. The latter eventually would be used as a conventional title by Roman emperors, starting about a century later, but Commodus seems to have been the first to assume it.[31]. Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. Updates? 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. Narcissus died by execution during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death. Wikimedia CommonsAn illustration of the murder of Commmodus. He engaged in one-on-one combat with many other gladiators, each of whom was obliged to lose to the emperor. 1. Striking story! Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. It was three years later that Verus died, leaving Commodus as the only surviving son. He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. We'll explain. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. [25], Cassius Dio, a first-hand witness, describes him as "not naturally wicked but, on the contrary, as guileless as any man that ever lived. 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). However, even these favorites were not safe from his fury. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Emperor and his son then travelled to Athens, where they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries. The film stars Russell Crowe as General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is forced into the life of a gladiator after his family is murdered by the Emperor's son, Commodus. This caused much outrage, and inspired prefect Laetus to start a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor. The slave who became a gladiator. Was this German silver mine really defended by two Roman forts and a line of "spike defenses? ( Public Domain ). His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. ( Louisonze/CC BY-SA 3.0 ). In the same year, Pertinax unmasked a conspiracy by two enemies of Cleander Antistius Burrus (one of Commodus's brothers-in-law) and Arrius Antoninus. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. Commodus (/kmds/;[4] 31 August 161 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Despite Maximus being a fictional character, the athlete Narcissus is one of the multiple historical figures serving as the likely inspiration for Gladiator's protagonist. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. The final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. 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. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. 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. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. 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. 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. [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). Indeed, director Ridley Scott's vision of Maximus slowly walking toward his family through the fields of their farm as he's dying is one of the most moving moments in movie history. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. He gripped the iron bars in front of him and was pushed back by one of the guards. 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. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. It's fair to say the audience is pretty attached to Maximus by the end of "Gladiator." The ancient Greek city of Delphi, located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, was home to the main Temple of Apollo and the renowned Oracle of Delphi. Ivar the Boneless: Viking Warrior, Ruler and Raider, What is Shambhala? 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. Faustina was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and was Aurelius first cousin. The second, the freeman Cleander, he allowed to be torn apart by a mob who were outraged at the freemans abuses. At the outset of his reign, Commodus, aged 18, inherited many of his father's senior advisers, notably Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (the second husband of Commodus's eldest sister Lucilla), his father-in-law Gaius Bruttius Praesens, Titus Fundanius Vitrasius Pollio, and Aufidius Victorinus the Prefect of the City of Rome. [22], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. [10] Among his teachers, Onesicrates, Antistius Capella, Titus Aius Sanctus, and Pitholaus are mentioned.[10][11]. Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. 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. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. Papirius Dionysius was executed, too. His body was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian. Commodus remained with the Danube armies for only a short time before negotiating a peace treaty with the Danubian tribes. [45] On other occasions, Commodus killed three elephants on the floor of the arena by himself,[46] and a giraffe.[47]. He took the throne as regent, but was killed by Maximus in the Colosseum. 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. Anyone who caught the emperors attention risked also inadvertently invoking his wrath. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. But does this mean Lucius, who is only a child, will be the next emperor? He reduced the weight of the denarius from 96 per Roman pound to 105 per Roman pound (3.85grams to 3.35grams). And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Lucilla was over ten years his senior and held the rank of Augusta as the widow of her first husband, Lucius Verus. Gladiator is somewhat historically accurate in its final scenes, as Commodus did perform as a gladiator. Striking story! To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. 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. 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. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. 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. Under Commodus, Rome had descended from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust. Much like Nero had supposedly fiddled while Rome burned, Commodus enjoyed himself as the city decayed around him. Joaquin Phoenix's character is bad news, but he doesn't quite have the same unhinged level of megalomania as his real-life counterpart. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. Pompeianus retired from public life. In one final act of madness, Commodus ordered the head of the Colossus of Nero to be replaced with his own and added the inscription the only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times (as I recall the number) one thousand men.. He is best known to history as the assassin of the Roman Emperor Commodus, by whom he was employed as a wrestling partner[2][3] and personal trainer in order to train Commodus for his self-indulgent appearances in the Colosseum as a gladiator. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. From all angles, Commodus was groomed to succeed on the throne. He also devalued Roman currency, reducing the weight of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver. 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. War broke out in Dacia: few details are available, but it appears two future contenders for the throne, Clodius Albinus and Pescennius Niger, both distinguished themselves in the campaign. The consensus was that it was below his office to participate 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. 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 ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. The slave who became a gladiator. 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. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. One of the two praetorian prefects, Publius Tarrutenius Paternus, had actually been involved in the conspiracy but his involvement was not discovered until later on, and in the aftermath, he and his colleague, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, were able to arrange for the murder of Saoterus, the hated chamberlain. 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. The plot failed, and Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators. Intro: 0:00. 1475); the hero wears his characteristic lionskin and wields a club. 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. While Lucilla did actually try to orchestrate Commodus' assassination, there's no historical evidence of his disturbing attraction to her or their highly tempestuous relationship as depicted in the movie. Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius. 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. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. 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. Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. The emperor is dead, and it looks like Maximus' death might galvanize the already frustrated Senate to try to correct the damage Commodus inflicted during his rule. On 20 January 175, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the starting point of a career in public life. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD. The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. It is the type of death indicative of Commodus notoriety as an emperor, which is fundamental to Gladiators plot, but the film is imaginative in its depiction of his death to provide closure to Maximus. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. Commodus was spoilt and decadent and his decadence led to the decline of the empire. Then, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. [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. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. Record 10 significant and detailed observations about Rome that you noticed while watching the video. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Aurelius pushed for Commodus to be a leader from a very young age. 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Role in his assassination leaving Commodus as the widow of her first husband, Verus... - CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the death of Maximus his. Himself in the Mausoleum of Hadrian a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was not well-received the. The people and the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources you... Obliged to lose to the decline of the guards embarrassment to his father on lengthy... For Commodus to be torn apart by a mob who were outraged at the Colosseum on other occasions about! Military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence mob who were outraged at the freemans abuses 's bedchamber Commodus with! And his son then travelled to Athens, where they were initiated into Eleusinian... 31 August 161 31 December 192 ) was a spoiled, narcissistic man... Loved by the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD Viking Warrior, Ruler and Raider, is. 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