Commodus

• 1. The Boy Who Became Emperor

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  On the 31st of August AD 161, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus drew his first breath in Lanuvium, a town nestled near Rome. He was the son of Marcus Aurelius, the reigning emperor, and Faustina the Younger, who had lost her own father just months before his birth. His twin brother Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus died in 165, leaving Commodus as the sole surviving son of the imperial couple. By the 12th of October 166, he held the title of Caesar alongside his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus. That brother perished in 169 after failing to recover from an operation, making Commodus the only heir left for his father.

  Galen, the renowned physician, treated Commodus for common illnesses throughout his childhood. The boy received extensive tutoring from teachers including Onesicrates, Antistius Capella, Titus Aius Sanctus, and Pitholaus. In 172, he accompanied his father to Carnuntum, headquarters during the Marcomannic Wars. On the 15th of October 172, he likely received the victory title Germanicus in front of the army. Two years later, on the 20th of January 175, he entered the College of Pontiffs, marking the start of his public career.

  A rebellion by Avidius Cassius in Syria forced Commodus to assume his toga virilis on the 7th of July 175 on the Danubian front. Cassius was killed before any major campaign could begin. Commodus then traveled with his father through Eastern provinces, visiting Antioch and Athens where they were initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries. They returned to Rome in autumn 176. On the 27th of November 176, Marcus Aurelius bestowed the title Imperator upon him. Modern authors often cite this date as the beginning of his reign, though exact chronology remains uncertain.

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• 2. Devalued Coins And Peaceful Frontiers

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  Upon ascending to sole power in 180, Commodus immediately devalued Roman currency. He reduced the weight of the denarius from 96 per Roman pound to 105 per Roman pound, dropping silver purity from 79 percent to 76 percent. By 186, he further reduced purity and silver weight to 74 percent and 2.22 grams respectively. This reduction represented the largest debasement since Nero's reign. The empire faced economic strain while military conflicts decreased significantly compared to his father's continuous warfare.

  Commodus negotiated a peace treaty with Danubian tribes shortly after taking full control. He returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph on the 22nd of October 180 for concluding wars that had raged under Marcus Aurelius. Unlike predecessors like Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, he showed little interest in administrative business. Throughout his reign, he left practical state management to favorites including Saoterus, Perennis, and Cleander. His rule remained comparatively peaceful militarily but was characterized by political strife and arbitrary behavior.

  Despite his notoriety, evidence suggests he remained popular with the army and common people for much of his reign. Lavish shows of largesse recorded on coinage helped maintain support. Spectators enjoyed spectacular gladiatorial combats where Commodus participated personally. He killed animals by bow while standing above the arena. When fighting fellow gladiators, opponents would purposely submit. During this period Rome's economy declined as he taxed the senatorial order to fund donatives and mass entertainments.

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• 3. Conspiracies That Shook The Palace

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  The first crisis erupted in 182 when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother. Her motive allegedly stemmed from envy of Empress Crispina. Lucilla's husband Pompeianus stayed uninvolved, but two alleged lovers attempted murder as Commodus entered a theater. They bungled the attempt and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. Quadratus and Quintianus faced execution while Lucilla was exiled to Capri and later killed. Pompeianus retired from public life entirely.

  One praetorian prefect, Publius Tarrutenius Paternus, had been involved though discovery came later. He and colleague Sextus Tigidius Perennis arranged Saoterus' murder. Commodus took the loss badly. Perennis then advanced himself by implicating Paternus in a second conspiracy led by Publius Salvius Julianus. Salvius and Paternus died along with numerous consulars and senators. Didius Julianus, future emperor, lost his governorship of Germania Inferior.

  After Saoterus' death, Cleander became chamberlain and favorite. This Phrygian freedman married Demostratia, one of the emperor's mistresses. Cleander actually murdered Saoterus himself. Following assassination attempts, Commodus spent much time outside Rome on family estates at Lanuvium. His chief interest shifted to sport: horse racing, chariot racing, combat with beasts and men mostly private but occasionally public. Unrest rose throughout empire as deserters caused trouble in Gaul and Germany.

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• 4. The Man Who Became Hercules

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  In opposition to Senate pronouncements and iconography, Commodus stressed unique status as source of god-like power. Innumerable statues across empire portrayed him as Hercules, reinforcing image as demigod, physical giant, protector, warrior fighting men and beasts. As Hercules he could claim sonship of Jupiter, supreme god of Roman pantheon. These tendencies grew to megalomaniacal proportions during 191 and 192. He rejected celebration of descent from Marcus Aurelius, stressing personal uniqueness instead.

  Early 192 saw extensive fire damage to Rome destroying Temple of Pax, Temple of Vesta, parts imperial palace. Seeing opportunity, Commodus declared himself new Romulus and ritually re-founded city. Renaming it Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana, all twelve months received his names: Lucius, Aelius, Aurelius, Commodus, Augustus, Herculeus, Romanus, Exsuperatorius, Amazonius, Invictus, Felix, Pius. Legions became Commodianae, grain fleet termed Alexandria Commodiana Togata, Senate entitled Commodan Fortunate Senate.

  His palace and Roman people themselves received name Commodianus. Day decreed called Dies Commodianus. He presented himself as fountainhead of Empire, Roman life, religion. Head of Colossus of Nero adjacent to Colosseum replaced with portrait bearing club. Bronze lion placed at feet made look like Hercules Romanus. Inscription boasted being only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times one thousand men.

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• 5. Gladiator King In The Arena

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  November 192 brought Plebeian Games where Commodus shot hundreds of animals with arrows and javelins each morning. Every afternoon he fought as gladiator winning all fights. December announcement intended inauguration year 193 both consul and gladiator on the 1st of January. Romans found scandalous emperor taking arms in amphitheater for sport when campaigning against barbarians should be duty. Consensus held participation below office dignity.

  Popular rumors alleged not actual son of Marcus Aurelius but gladiator mother Faustina took lover at Caieta resort. Cassius Dio claimed citizens lacking feet taken to arena tethered together for Commodus to club death pretending giants. Custom included privately using deadly weapons murdering maiming opponents. Known fighting exotic animals often horrified disgusted populace. Once killed 100 lions single day according to Cassius Dio. Later decapitated running ostrich specially designed dart carrying sword bleeding head Senators seating area motion suggesting they next.

  Targeted senators found more ridiculous than frightening chewing laurel leaves concealing laughter. Other occasions saw killing three elephants floor arena by himself plus giraffe. Cassius Dio noted targeted senators actually found this more ridiculous than frightening, chewed on laurel leaves to conceal their laughter.

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• 6. The Poison That Failed And The Sword That Succeeded

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  On the 31st of December Marcia poisoned Commodus food but he vomited poison up. Conspirators sent wrestling partner Narcissus strangle him bath. Upon death Senate declared public enemy de facto damnatio memoriae restoring original city name institutions. Statues demolished body buried Mausoleum Hadrian. Death marked end Nerva-Antonine dynasty succeeded Pertinax whose reign short became first claimant usurped Year Five Emperors.

  In 195 emperor Septimius Severus trying gain favor Marcus Aurelius family rehabilitated Commodus memory had Senate deify him. Accepting kinship Commodus bluntly pragmatic decision taken deify former emperor thus legitimizing Severus seizure power. Cassius Dio described him not naturally wicked guileless man slave companions led lustful cruel habits second nature.

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