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. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors. Upon his death, the Senate declared him a public enemy (a de facto damnatio memoriae) and restored the original name of the city of Rome and its institutions. In 166, at the age of five, Commodus was made Caesar, along with his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus. 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. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? ( Public Domain ). The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. 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. 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. 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It worked and the Nerva-Antonine dynasty which had ruled Rome for nearly a century had come to an end and the city soon descended into civil war. www.alexanderdoddy.com. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. [34] The Romans found Commodus's gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . Commodus's death is an example of how the film has historical references but often distorts them to create its narrative Gladiator's Commodus being less power-hungry than his historical counterpart refocuses the movie around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. Gladiator movie clips: http://j.mp/1Je0zMpBUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/v7o2YKDon't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DESCRIPTION:Afte. 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. Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p.7. [22], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. 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. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. Commodus murders his father (Richard Harris) to gain power, orders the death of war hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) in order to circumvent any possible challenge to his rule, puts the moves on his. Early Life - Chapter I: 1:03. It was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. Didius Julianus, the future emperor and a relative of Salvius Julianus, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. In the contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade. The Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees into the arena to be slayed. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. Upon his ascension, Commodus devalued the Roman currency. 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. It's a great story of revenge but the character of Maximus is entirely made up. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Whatever its roots, the conspiracy failed and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, who began seeing plots and treachery everywhere. 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. 1. [19] His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since the empire's first devaluation during Nero's reign. Its protagonist, Maximus, is entirely fictitious. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. This caused much outrage, and inspired prefect Laetus to start a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. [27] Another event, as recorded by the historian Aelius Lampridius, took place at the Roman baths at Terme Taurine, where the emperor had an attendant thrown into an oven after he had found his bathwater to be lukewarm. Muller Edition 1.15.7, Echols, Edward C. "Herodian of Antioch's History of the Roman Empire." Commodus lunged at the Senator. Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. The Emperor and his son then travelled to Athens, where they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. Corrections? 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. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. The final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. Top Image: Bust of Commodus, 17th Emperor of the Roman Empire. First, she attempted to kill him by poisoning his food. Only a famous death will do. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. Then, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. Be warned, though:If you thought Maximus's death was sad, you really won't like this. 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. Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192. The real Commodus was also a gladiator superfan, and he really did get in the arena and fight people. 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. 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. 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. The 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, is steeped in the culture of ancient Rome. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. Ultimately, it is believed that Commodus outlandish behavior led to his eventual assassination. Striking story! 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. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? [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. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine [2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. Soon after he became sole ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. 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. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Disappointment aside, Aurelius continued to promote Commodus through the ranks. [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. During his solo reign, the Roman Empire enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius. One of these is Commodus' relationship with his sister Lucilla. Her motive is alleged to have been the envy of the Empress Crispina. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! Husband of Ceionia Fabia: Levick (2014), p. 164. Dio Cassius 73.10.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. Instead, he devoted himself to his harem of 300 females and a like number of males, played gladiator at Rome's. He also had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals. 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. It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman. Commodus orders 150 days of gladiatorial combat, ostensibly to commemorate his late father, while in reality attempting to distract the populace from the Senate's corruption and the rampant plague epidemics. 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. 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. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. He was co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. wahrscheinlich aber erfand Commodus diese Geschichte selber, um seine Sonderrolle zu unterstreichen. In April 175, Avidius Cassius, Governor of Syria, declared himself emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius had died. 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. Commodus, the son of the famous Emperor Marcus Aurelius, lived an interesting life, combining 15 years of rule alongside his father with 16 years of chaos. The title suggests that Commodus was present at his father's victory over the Marcomanni. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. But wait, wasn't Commodus killed by a Gladiator? 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. After this look at Commodus, check out these interesting facts about Ancient Rome. 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 mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. With each breathtaking scene, the complex culture of world that created and adored these bloody games between man and beast comes into clear focus. She believes that only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life path and purpose. His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within the empire. Once that's done, he only has one more goal: reunite with his family in the afterlife. Well, kind of, but not really. Clearly, choosing to play gladiator, mercilessly killing animals and people with disabilities, was not a strategy that served to promote Roman culture, no matter how brutal it was at the time. He also devalued Roman currency, reducing the weight of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver. [5] He was the son of the reigning emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and Aurelius's first cousin, Faustina the Younger, the youngest daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, who had died only a few months before. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! The slave who became a gladiator. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. In 192 AD, several senators, led by Praetorian prefect Quintus Aemilius Laetus, recruited Narcissus to assassinate the emperor after a previous failed attempt by the conspirators. 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. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. This assassination attempt was successful, and both Commodus reign as Roman Emperor, and his life, ended on the final day of 192. 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. Thrown into the spotlight as Rome . 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. Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. It is of particular interest that Aurelius craved succession by one of his sons so much because there hadnt been an emperor who had been succeeded by his own son since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. His father was the philosopher-king, Marcus Aurelius, who 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. His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[21]. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narcissus_(wrestler)&oldid=1135943613, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 20:46. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The executions of the senators had whet his appetite for blood and he devoted himself to combats of wild beasts and of men. Not merely content to hunt in private, the emperor began to perform in the Colosseum itself, competing as a gladiator to the delight of the crowds and horror of the senate, as depicted in Gladiator. The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators (detail) by Edwin Blashfield (18481936), Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia. 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). The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. 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. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. By 192 A.D., the Roman people had had enough. 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. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole 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."[26]. 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. 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. Other victims at this time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus's cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, and his brother-in-law Mamertinus. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. 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. Commodus was also known for fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to the horror and disgust of the Roman populace. Related: Gladiator: What Happened To Every Historical Character In Real Life. Maximus : You would fight me? [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. This ancient Roman biographical article is a stub. Cornelius Scipio Salvidienus Orfitus. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Maximus : You would fight me? Commodus' famous gesture, which he gives when deciding the fate of defeated gladiators Meanwhile, Commodus was lapsing into insanity. He reduced the weight of the denarius from 96 per Roman pound to 105 per Roman pound (3.85grams to 3.35grams). 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). Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! In the spring of 190, Rome was afflicted by a food shortage, for which the praefectus annonae Papirius Dionysius, the official actually in charge of the grain supply, contrived to lay the blame on Cleander. 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. The movie is far from historically accurate. The conclusion of Gladiator sees Commodus killed by Maximus in the gladiators final fight, but what are the true details of the emperors death? On 15 October 184 at the Capitoline Games, a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus. His outrageous tactics, such as slaying people with disabilities and slaughtering wild beasts in the arena, brought much negative attention, and were believed to have played a role in his eventual assassination. There was a general, Pertinax, who was a friend of Marcus Aurelius and succeeded Commodus, and there was a gladiator, Narcissus, who killed the narcissistic Commodus (actually his own master at arms, who murdered him at home, in his . [15], On 23 December 176, the two imperatores celebrated a joint triumph. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercalenne,", M.P. Commodus remained with the Danube armies for only a short time before negotiating a peace treaty with the Danubian tribes. 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 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 . After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium.
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