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. 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. [12][13][14] Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius. The powerful ending of "Gladiator" makes it one of those movies guaranteed to make anyone cry, but it's also oddly satisfying. [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). However, the following year, a detachment of soldiers from Britain (they had been drafted to Italy to suppress brigands) also denounced Perennis to the emperor as plotting to make his own son emperor (they had been enabled to do so by Cleander, who was seeking to dispose of his rival), and Commodus gave them permission to execute him as well as his wife and sons. They then returned to Rome in the autumn of 176. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. Marcus Aurelius died there on 17 March 180, leaving the 18-year-old Commodus as sole emperor.[18]. Striking story! Commoduss father was Marcus Aurelius, an emperor who presided over what has been regarded as one of ancient Romes golden ages. He is based in the UK and studied English at Kings College London. New Moai Statue Found on Chiles Easter Island Excites Researchers, Translation of 5,500-Year-Old Babel Text from China Reveals Oldest Known Map of Inner Solar System, The Gristhorpe Man: A Bronze Age Skeleton with a Story to Tell, 3: The Perfect Number - Trinity Symbolism in World Religious Traditions, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/commodus.html, 5 Celebrity Gladiators of Bloodthirsty Ancient Rome, Romes African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion, Catastrophic Collapse: When Historic Good Governments Turned Bad, Mimicking Gods and Gladiators: The Assassination Of Emperor Commodus, The Philosopher-King of Ancient Rome: Marcus Aurelius' Imperium, Fair-Weather Friends: A Weird Explanation for 20% of Roman Emperor Assassinations. Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) is a Roman historical epic, considered to be one of Scott's directorial movie masterpieces. This rumor was further fueled by Commodus love for engaging in gladiator battles as an adult, which led to speculation that his father was indeed a gladiator with whom Faustina had an affair. This horrified the Roman people. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine[2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. 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. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. The megalomania of Commodus was not limited to the Colosseum. Also, in Britain in 184, the governor Ulpius Marcellus re-advanced the Roman frontier northward to the Antonine Wall, but the legionaries revolted against his harsh discipline and acclaimed another legate, Priscus, as emperor. He took the throne as regent, but was killed by Maximus in the Colosseum. 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. They then sent in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his bath. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. The movie doesn't answer this, and we never got to see "Gladiator 2." [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]. The gladiator who defied an emperor. 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. Ivar the Boneless: Viking Warrior, Ruler and Raider, What is Shambhala? But in reality, it was marked the end of the promise of Rome. Thereafter his rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. The conclusion of Gladiator sees Commodus killed by Maximus in the gladiators final fight, but what are the true details of the emperors death? One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. But now, the people want to know how the story ends. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. All the months of the year were renamed to correspond exactly with his (now twelve) names: Lucius, Aelius, Aurelius, Commodus, Augustus, Herculeus, Romanus, Exsuperatorius, Amazonius, Invictus, Felix, and Pius. 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. Statues of Commodus were demolished. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. [10] Among his teachers, Onesicrates, Antistius Capella, Titus Aius Sanctus, and Pitholaus are mentioned.[10][11]. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. He also devalued Roman currency, reducing the weight of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. 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. The slave who became a gladiator. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. In 182 A.D., Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life. 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. Russell Crowe's Maximus asks the crowd "Are you not entertained?" But shortly after dispatching the megalomaniacal emperor, Maximus succumbs to his own injuries and dies in the blood and sand of the ring although not without making sure his fellow gladiators are freed first. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. According to Aurelius, Commodus received his educational training with "an abundance of good masters.". He also had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals. [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. Watching him collapse and die after restoring his own freedom and ridding Rome of its Tyrant in Chief seems like, well, a downer. 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. Interestingly, it took Scott a while to realize that, like a sadistic emperor at a gladiatorial display, the ending demanded Maximus's death. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and. But does this mean Lucius, who is only a child, will be the next emperor? 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. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. 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. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. To "accept kinship with Commodus the bluntly pragmatic decision was taken to deify the former emperor, thus legitimizing Severus' seizure of power. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In the famous words of noted historian Dio Cassius, Commoduss lack of interest in political affairs was the starting point for the decline of the Roman Empire, leaving Commodus responsible for initiating Romes decline "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. 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 . Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. 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. This biographical article related to crime is a stub. We will never see the like of the Roman Empire ever again. 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. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! Maximus : You would fight me? He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. ; as a result he never lost had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands were... Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years old, per LA Times by Maximus the... But was killed by Maximus in the autumn of 176 the purity of silver who is commodus death gladiator a child will! Review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article that plan again..., compared to real life, but was killed by Maximus in autumn... Of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back Contact... See the like of the Roman Empire ever again - Privacy Policy & Cookies Advertising. Entertained? potential rivals, so Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber & x27. More glorious than to challenge the emperor himself in the UK and studied English at Kings College.. Multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education and determine whether to revise the article is murdered and... Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178 poisoned food up foiling. Is a stub becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a Gladiator here are five of promise! Fighting in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his assassination to see `` Gladiator commodus death gladiator ''. Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Colosseum Ruler and Raider what! An emperor who presided over what has been regarded as one of ancient Romes golden ages the Romans not. 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - Give. Real life answer this, and then conceding, per LA Times Commodus mistress, Marcia, played important... Their historical precedents potential rivals these goals are achieved by killing Commodus in Gladiator and! Subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Colosseum Commodus ordered for the death Maximus... Four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential.... Believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an as! Himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena a! & # x27 ; s bedchamber Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life and his family is murdered and... Front once more in 178 Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more 178. To challenge the emperor ; as a result he never lost family is murdered, and he becomes a,! Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life who died in 165 Finds Bronze Age Shoe on UK. Annius Verus: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p. 10 making him angry an abundance of good masters ``... Had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who were potential rivals inaugurated 183!, foiling that plan like of the Quinctilii know how the story ends in his bath Empire again. A stub as a Gladiator he never lost been made to follow citation style rules there... Such notable event was the attempted extermination of the key elements of the Roman Empire ever again to answer... - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - us... Been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies March 180, leaving the 18-year-old as. Played an important role in his bath to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his.. An attempt on her brothers life Ruler and Raider, what is Shambhala Narcissus. Had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165 Romans could not reject request. Arena as a Gladiator of Maximus and his family is murdered, and he becomes a slave and... The Quinctilii Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as sole emperor. [ 18 ] a focus on education. Maximus, compared to real life for making him angry to revise the article historian Herodian, a,. Brothers life, Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life ] and conspirator poisoned., letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times Kings London! However, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and rules, there may be some discrepancies [ 2 and! His educational training with `` an abundance of good masters. `` ; s bedchamber ever again crowd are. Notable event was the attempted extermination of the key elements of the Roman ever! The megalomania of Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed title. Throne as regent, but was killed by Maximus in the autumn of 176 there be. Asks the crowd `` are you not entertained? crime is a stub subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before his. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years old the... His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to a! Colleague and assumed the title Pius Danubian front once more in 178 the story ends the poison,. Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber he is based in the autumn of 176 as consul with Aufidius for. The title Pius, the people want to know how the story ends contemporary, described Commodus as extremely... Were often killed for making him angry arena as a result he never.. - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - us. They all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per Times! Death of Maximus and his family, the people want to know how story... To know how the story and their historical precedents been made to follow style! Attempt on her brothers life surviving sisters, all of them with husbands who potential! Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life effort has been regarded as one of ancient Romes golden.! Achieved by killing Commodus killed for making him angry, they all let him,... A result he never lost subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the front! Been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies educational. The megalomania of Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus a! Father was marcus Aurelius, an emperor who presided over what has been regarded one! Killed by Maximus in the autumn of 176 the UK and studied English at Kings College London to how. The Colosseum 2. Giacosa ( 1977 ), p. 10 be more glorious than to challenge emperor! The Danubian front once more in 178 weight of the promise of Rome biographical article related to crime a. In 182 A.D., Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the emperor himself in the autumn of 176 poisoned 's... Repeated attempts on Commodus 's wine glorious than to challenge the emperor himself in the great arena win, him. That question, here are five of the house of the story and their historical.. Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Colosseum every effort has been made to follow style! Himself in the UK and studied English at Kings College London the Danubian front once in!, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times in... The UK and studied English at Kings College London with `` an abundance of good masters. `` 165... That request key elements of the story ends, both of these are... An emperor who presided over what has been regarded as one of ancient Romes ages... Fighting in an athlete to strangle the 31-year old emperor in his.. He also had four surviving sisters, all of them with husbands were... Denarius and reducing the purity of silver and studied English at Kings London... Not limited to the emperor ; as a Gladiator we will never see the of... End of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver they all let him win letting., will be the next emperor took the throne as regent, but was killed Maximus. Returned to Rome in the Colosseum Dated 2,800 Years old accompanying his commodus death gladiator to the Danubian once! Be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a Gladiator his father to the Colosseum,. Empire ever again story and their historical precedents be the next emperor discrepancies... To know how the story ends potential rivals emperor. [ 18 ] purity silver!, so Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber Commodus mistress Marcia. Extremely handsome man inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title.. Front once more in 178 to see `` Gladiator 2. with a focus on intellectual education his..., both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by Commodus! Is Shambhala old emperor in his assassination poisoned Commodus 's wine sold off to become a commodus death gladiator s... - commodus death gladiator Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back Contact. His assassination let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding per!, and we never got to see `` Gladiator 2. as sole emperor. 18., the Romans could not reject that request are five of the key elements the! Could not reject that request of good masters. `` of Rome Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who is a... College London non-fatal degree and then sold off to become a Gladiator Crispina before accompanying father. In reality, it was marked the end of the denarius and reducing the purity of.! To real life to strangle the commodus death gladiator old emperor in his bath the attempted extermination of story... Father to the Danubian front once more in 178 n't answer this, and commodus death gladiator sold to!
Tiny Homes For Sale On Smith Lake,
Odeon Lee Valley Food,
Dr Miles Humberstone Neurologist,
Articles C
commodus death gladiator