Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. But does this mean Lucius, who is only a child, will be the next emperor? Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . 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. Dying and going to Elysium is a more fitting reward for him than taking control of Rome. 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). But wait, wasn't Commodus killed by a Gladiator? 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. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. 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. 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. 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. 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. Now at the zenith of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business. In the contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . But frankly, the rest of "Gladiator" also deserves a standing ovation from an arena full of bloodthirsty Roman citizens (and modern audiences), especially the ending. "Back!" he cried. As a result, Commodus appeared even more rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates. @Roberto Peron, No, Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher (Stoic) the last of the 5 "Good Emperors" and maintained the "Pax Romana). Then, discover the most fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. 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. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and his death during Maximus final fight in the Colosseum is an example of the films historical inaccuracy. However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. Commodus's death marked the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Statues of Commodus were demolished. [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. 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. It appeared that he had no interest in being a leader, and only wanted to take advantage of his leadership powers to fulfill his own desires. Yet another attempt on his life had been foiled, but the conspirators did not lose their nerve. Only a famous death will do. He was the brother of Princess Lucilla, and uncle of Lucius. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. We'll explain. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. In 166, at the age of five, Commodus was made Caesar, along with his younger brother Marcus Annius Verus. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. 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. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. ( Naughtynimitz/CC BY-SA 3.0 ). It seems likely that he was raised in an atmosphere of Stoic asceticism, which he rejected entirely upon his accession to sole rule. At the urging of his mistress Marcia, Commodus had Cleander beheaded and his son killed. Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192. Striking story! Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. Commodus (/kmds/;[4] 31 August 161 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . Marcus Aurelius died there on 17 March 180, leaving the 18-year-old Commodus as sole emperor.[18]. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. Marcus Aurelius. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. 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. It appears that Aurelius was desperate to have a son of his own bloodline succeed him. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD. But since "Gladiator" is based on a true story (sort of), we can look at history to see what might have happened next. 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. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! 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. A grateful Senate proclaimed a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire quickly slipped into civil war. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. 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 long line of ancient Roman emperors is marked by a strange pattern: Almost every exceptionally brilliant emperor was succeeded by an exceptionally mad one. The final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. 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. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? 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. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . 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. [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. Herodian's Roman History F.L. With each breathtaking scene, the complex culture of world that created and adored these bloody games between man and beast comes into clear focus. 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. Cleander was in fact the person who had murdered Saoterus. Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Empero 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. 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. 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. Cassius Dio recorded one incident where, after becoming tired out, Commodus ordered a cup of chilled wine to him and drank it at one gulp. In an amusing anecdote, Dio continued, At this both the populace and we senators all immediately shouted out the words so familiar at drinking-bouts, Long life to you!'. Commodus lunged at the Senator. The Eastern Tour - Chapter II: 4:01. Classic Villain: Commodus, representing Ambition and Envy. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. The Death of Commodus, from a history book published in 1900. Only a famous death will do. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. Commodus was spoilt and decadent and his decadence led to the decline of the empire. [12][13][14] Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. 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 . Despite the fact that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept about his life. While the films fictional account maintains that the killing of Commodus was motivated by the nature of the emperors actions, it is more personal and emotionally charged in the film than in history. 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. Cornelius Scipio Salvidienus Orfitus. Every illness was treated to ensure he remained strong and healthy. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus. 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. Commodus was made coruler when he was just 16 years old, and he was emperor before he turned 19. In the view of Dio Cassius, his accession marked the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust".[20]. 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). He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. Ser. [44] Dio notes that the targeted senators actually found this more ridiculous than frightening, and chewed on laurel leaves to conceal their laughter. Unrest around the empire increased, with large numbers of army deserters causing trouble in Gaul and Germany. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. Claudius M. Appius Atilius Bradua Regillus Atticus, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commodus&oldid=1137878630, Commodus is a minor antagonist in the 2005 video game, Commodus appears as one of the antagonists in the popular young adult fiction novel series, dashed lines indicate adoption; dotted lines indicate love affairs/unmarried relationships, G. Alfldy, "Der Friedesschluss des Kaisers Commodus mit den Germanen,", P. A. Brunt, "The Fall of Perennis: Dio-Xiphilinus 79.9.2,", J. Gag, "La mystique imperiale et l'preuve des jeux. Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. Reigning from 180 to 192 A.D., Commodus all but ignored his official duties. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like. The three of them plotted to assassinate the emperor. Nevertheless, though the senatorial order came to hate and fear him, the evidence suggests that he remained popular with the army and the common people for much of his reign, not least because of his lavish shows of largesse (recorded on his coinage) and because he staged and took part in spectacular gladiatorial combats. 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. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? Well, kind of, but not really. 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. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but the depiction of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate. From 180 to his death in 192, Commodus was the only emperor.. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. Gladiator is clearly influenced by aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative. 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. The movie doesn't answer this, and we never got to see "Gladiator 2." Narcissus died by execution during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death. He was appointed co-emperor of Rome and ruled alongside his father when he Marcus Aurelius is famed for various accomplishmentshis title as the last of the Five Good Emperors; his extensive study of and literary accomplishments in the field of Stoicism; and, last but not Long bouts of bad weather have been blamed as a cause for the downfall of ancient civilizations around the world. Of them plotted to assassinate the emperor 's bodyguard article ( requires login.! His mistress Marcia, Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime the. 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