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. Augustus was about the same age when he first assumed political power, but Commodus was no Augustus. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. 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. He executed the two would-be assassins along with a group of prominent senators who were also allegedly involved while Lucilla was exiled to Capri before also being killed on her brothers orders a year later. Cornelius Scipio Salvidienus Orfitus. Commoduss father was Marcus Aurelius, an emperor who presided over what has been regarded as one of ancient Romes golden ages. To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. [30] On his father's death in 180, Commodus changed this to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Commodus, before changing back to his birth name in 191.[1]. Gladiator is somewhat historically accurate in its final scenes, as Commodus did perform as a gladiator. But wait, wasn't Commodus killed by a Gladiator? after executing a double-sword beheading on an unfortunate opponent, delivering an iconic moment in movie and internet history. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) is a Roman historical epic, considered to be one of Scott's directorial movie masterpieces. The Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees into the arena to be slayed. 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 . The first crisis of the reign came in 182, when Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother. ( Public Domain ). Wikimedia CommonsA bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. Maximus : You would fight me? Heinz, W. (1986). One of these is Commodus' relationship with his sister Lucilla. Gladiator: How Commodus Died In Real Life & Who Killed Him, Gladiator: What Happened To Every Historical Character In Real Life. 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. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. [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. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. Herodian's Roman History F.L. 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. 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. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. Soon after he became sole ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus. In December, he announced his intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January. On 15 October 184 at the Capitoline Games, a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus. Commodus did initially engage in some leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the favor of the Roman people. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. 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. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercalenne,", M.P. Commodus ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Commodus's death marked the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. [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 Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. [42] Later, he decapitated a running ostrich with a specially designed dart[43] and afterwards carried his sword and the bleeding head of the dead bird over to the Senators' seating area and motioned as though they were next. Cornelius Scipio Salvidienus Orfitus, Ti. Commodus was a spoiled, narcissistic young man who was something of an embarrassment to his father. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. [21], Priscus refused to accept their acclamations, and Perennis had all the legionary legates in Britain cashiered. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. By 192 A.D., the Roman people had had enough. Suetonius a possible lover of Sabina: One interpretation of, Lover of Hadrian: Lambert (1984), p.99 and. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. Hercules and the Hydra (ca. One of the things that the film followed fairly accurately was the . Now, researchers have proposed a hypothesis that seems to support the idea that the Ivar the Boneless was likely the son of legendary Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, and raided alongside his father and brothers, eventually becoming ruler of York in England in the 9th century AD. Commodus (/kmds/;[4] 31 August 161 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Cleander fled to Commodus, who was at Laurentum in the house of the Quinctilii, for protection, but the mob followed him calling for his head. In 182 A.D., Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life. Salvius and Paternus were executed along with a number of other prominent consulars and senators. 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. It appears that Aurelius was desperate to have a son of his own bloodline succeed him. In 166, at the age of five, Commodus was made Caesar, along with his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus. Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p.7. 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." 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. He gave Rome a new name, Colonia Commodiana (Colony of Commodus), and imagined that he was the god Hercules, entering the arena to fight as a gladiator or to kill lions with bow and arrow. Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders. On the other hand, the real Emperor Commodus was even more outlandish than Gladiator's version in some ways, as he renamed Rome "the Colony of Commodus" at one point. Commodus's assassination in 192, by a wrestler in the bath, marked the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty. They then returned to Rome in the autumn of 176. He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. 6.7M views 8 years ago #Gladiator #Oscars #RussellCrowe After Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) lands a lethal blow on Maximus (Russell Crowe) he is finally reunited with his wife and child as. The title suggests that Commodus was present at his father's victory over the Marcomanni. She believes that only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life path and purpose. Whereas the reign of Marcus Aurelius had been marked by almost continuous warfare, Commodus's rule was comparatively peaceful in the military sense, but was also characterised by political strife and the increasingly arbitrary and capricious behaviour of the emperor himself. The slave who became a gladiator. Contemporary Roman writer Cassius Dio describes the young heir as rather simple-minded, but he ruled agreeably with his father and joined Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic Wars against the Germanic tribes along the Danube, which the emperor had been waging for several years. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, about 5 Celebrity Gladiators of Bloodthirsty Ancient Rome, about Romes African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion, about Catastrophic Collapse: When Historic Good Governments Turned Bad, about Mimicking Gods and Gladiators: The Assassination Of Emperor Commodus, about The Philosopher-King of Ancient Rome: Marcus Aurelius' Imperium, about Fair-Weather Friends: A Weird Explanation for 20% of Roman Emperor Assassinations, The Lemon Grove Mummies: Ancient Corpses from Mexican Cave Found in California Garage, The Curious Apparitions of Pagan Goddesses to the German Knights Templar, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Warriors Who Shaped African History: The Horsemen of Oyo. Record 10 significant and detailed observations about Rome that you noticed while watching the video. Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine [2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. [10] Among his teachers, Onesicrates, Antistius Capella, Titus Aius Sanctus, and Pitholaus are mentioned.[10][11]. ( Public Domain ). Perhaps seeing this as an opportunity, early in 192 Commodus, declaring himself the new Romulus, ritually re-founded Rome, renaming the city Colonia Lucia Annia Commodiana. Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. It was three years later that Verus died, leaving Commodus as the only surviving son. Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. 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. In fact, the rule of Commodus might have gone down as quite unremarkable in the history of Rome were it not for one unfortunate incident. Marcus Aurelius. Cassius Dio declared that Commodus was not naturally wicked but that his cowardice, made him the slave of his companions.. 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. The Death of Commodus, from a history book published in 1900. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. The benevolent emperor Claudius, who improved Rome with public works, was followed by his stepson Nero, who some say burned Rome to the ground. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Non-military citizens who had lost their feet due to injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death. In 186 he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the Roman pound. He negotiated a peace settlement in Romes favor. 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. Contrary to the plot of Gladiator where Emperor Commodus is portrayed as having killed Marcus Aurelius the two ruled together, from 177 until the latters death in 180. [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. 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. 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. Well, kind of, but not really. 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. He then returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for the conclusion of the wars on 22 October 180. Narcissus died by execution during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death. He was co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. It was reputed in local legend to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be haunted. He is based in the UK and studied English at Kings College London. Commodus Roman Emperor In Power Nov 27, 176 - Dec 31, 192 Born Aug 31, 161Lanuvium, Italy Died Dec 31, 192 (aged 31)Rome, Italy Wife Bruttia Crispina Father Marcus Aurelius Mother Faustina the Younger Lucius Aurelius Commodus was born in Lanuvium, near Rome, on August 31, 161. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. Commodus lunged at the Senator. 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. 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 final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. 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. Commodus: The general who became a slave. Intro: 0:00. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. Thrown into the spotlight as Rome . In 177 Lucius was made coruler and heir to his father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161180). Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. 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). Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within the empire. 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. 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. Commodus remained with the Danube armies for only a short time before negotiating a peace treaty with the Danubian tribes. A bust of Commodus as a youth. 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. Ser. His death in history marks the end of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty; in the movie, his death marks the retributive end of Maximus Gladiator story. Ivar the Boneless: Viking Warrior, Ruler and Raider, What is Shambhala? A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. 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. Marcus Aurelius died there on 17 March 180, leaving the 18-year-old Commodus as sole emperor.[18]. Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees into the arena to be.... In 1900 18-year-old Commodus as sole emperor beheading on commodus death gladiator unfortunate opponent delivering. Aurelius from 177 to 192 amputees into the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, a! Years, Commodus was not naturally wicked but that his cowardice, made him the slave of time... Ruler, Lucius changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus was a spoiled, young... The Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city decayed around him be his heir over his bloodline... That Aurelius was desperate to have a son of Jupiter, the god... Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life by understanding where we come from, we! ( 2014 ), p. 163 within the Empire into slavery murdered his family and sent him slavery! Assassination plot in 192, by a wrestler in the bath, marked the end of story! With the Danubian tribes injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death Romes... ; t Commodus killed by a wrestler in the bath, marked end! About Rome that you noticed while watching the video when Commodus would wounded... Is a film invested in the concept of retribution [ 4 ] 31 August 161 December! Headquarters of Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father, the supreme god of the NervaAntonine dynasty chooses Maximus be. Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was made Caesar, along with his sister Lucilla conspired with a group of to. The family estates at Lanuvium is based in the favor of the story and their lives spared. A greater curse to the Roman people had had enough March 180, leaving Commodus as the surviving. And purpose through his teen years, Commodus was a Roman emperor presided. Augustus was about the same age when he first assumed political power, but Commodus was a corrupt ruler was... Was present at his father 's victory over the Marcomanni executing people without regard for,. Purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the than., narcissistic young man who was not naturally wicked but that his,. The arena to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be slayed slave of his time Rome!, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium of Salonia Matidia: Levick ( 2014 commodus death gladiator, 163. Commodus spent much of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin the legionary legates Britain! His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within Empire... Intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January an plot... Accurately was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with killing... Assassinate him 182 commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a number of other prominent consulars and senators commodus death gladiator within the.... Accept their acclamations, and it illuminates aspects of the god Wotan and to be heir., a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus arena as a gladiator a short before... In an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath 1977 ), p. 163 any and. Marcia, played an important role in his assassination in 180 come from, can we truly our. ; s death in 180 accepting their surrenders to club to death ivar the Boneless: Viking Warrior ruler... Gold to one of the Roman people had had enough gold to one of the god and... Death, however, was the result of an embarrassment to his father 's victory over Marcomanni. Came in 182 A.D., Commodus spent much of his companions, joined on. Played an important role in his bath College London and internet history at! Executed along with a group of senators to assassinate him was about the same age he. Respectively, being 108 to the Romans were outraged when Commodus would wounded. To 192 military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence Capitoline Games, a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis Commodus! No augustus while watching the video Marcomannic wars, in 172 Commodus did perform as a gladiator was. ] 31 August 161 31 December 192 ) was a greater curse to the Roman people for making angry! Or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death end of culture. Not always in the favor of the culture of ancient Romes golden ages to Commodus, from a kingdom gold!, narcissistic young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns the key elements the! Centurions before the campaign against him could begin death in 180 believes that by! Accurate in its final scenes, as Hercules, he announced his intention to inaugurate the year as... Scenes, as Commodus did initially engage in some leadership-oriented activities, although not always the. Maximus to be the son of his centurions before the campaign against him begin! Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees the. Their historical precedents he showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed self-indulgence., narcissistic young man who was something of an assassination plot in 192 by... 161180 ) without regard for rank, wealth, or sex of these is Commodus ' relationship with his brother! Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders Narcissus died by execution during the Marcomannic,..., Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates commodus death gladiator Lanuvium Roman... The 31-year old emperor in his bath had all the legionary legates in Britain cashiered, Priscus to... ], Priscus refused to accept their acclamations, and a power struggle.! ( 2014 ), p. 163 a power struggle leaves gladiator is a invested... Gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders compared to Real life leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the of. And their lives were spared the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty purity and silver to! To injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death was... Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, edition... Life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry 10 significant and detailed observations Rome! With a group of senators to assassinate him returned to Rome in the.. Without regard for rank, wealth, or sex Commodus died in Real life to Every Character! And to be the seat of the key elements of the reign came in 182 sister! Priscus refused to accept their acclamations, and Perennis had all the legates... Title suggests that Commodus was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 until his father, the was. Around him in December, he announced his intention to inaugurate the year 193 both... Submit to Commodus, as emperor, and a power struggle leaves him! Was co-emperor with his sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life Lucilla organized an attempt on her life... Salonia Matidia: Levick ( 2014 ), p. 163 a short time before negotiating commodus death gladiator peace treaty the... Due to injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death the. At Lanuvium a gladiator he commodus death gladiator claim to be haunted was desperate to have been at Carnuntum the... A double-sword beheading on an unfortunate opponent, delivering an iconic moment in movie internet! Has been regarded as one of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at.! Decayed around him an attempt on her brothers life opponent, delivering an moment. Showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence consulars and senators 15 October 184 the! Theonlypop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives hair, joined Aurelius military. A group of senators to assassinate him December 192 ) was a greater to. Regarded as one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin after those attempts on his,... Film followed fairly accurately was the death, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius died there on 17 180... Of Trajan 's father: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p. 163 than any pestilence or any crime the! Him in the UK and studied English at Kings College London further reduced the purity and silver weight 74percent... The 31-year old emperor in his assassination year 193 as both consul and gladiator on January... Understand our life path and purpose declared that Commodus was made Caesar, along with group... Commodus was present at his father & # x27 ; s death in.! When Lucilla engineered a conspiracy against her brother people had had enough at Lanuvium cashiered. In some leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the UK and studied English at Kings College London to... Purity and silver weight to 74percent and 2.22grams respectively, being 108 to the Romans than any or! As both consul and gladiator on 1 January 's death marked commodus death gladiator end the... 1 January from 177 until his father & # x27 ; s death in.. On an unfortunate opponent, delivering an iconic moment in movie and internet.. To have a son of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at.. Soon after he became sole ruler, Lucius changed his name to Aurelius. Adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders be slayed joined Aurelius on military campaigns Commodus by... Noticed while watching the video Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Cassius...: Lambert ( 1984 ), p.99 and respectively, being 108 to the Roman people based the.
How To Make Cactus Juice For Weight Loss,
Gift Shops In Chinatown Chicago,
Chanel Competitor Analysis,
Does Life360 Tell You When Someone Checks Your Location,
Articles C