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. An inscribed altar from Dura-Europos on the Euphrates shows that Commodus's titles and the renaming of the months were disseminated to the furthest reaches of the Empire; moreover, that even auxiliary military units received the title Commodiana, and that he claimed two additional titles: Pacator Orbis (pacifier of the world) and Dominus Noster (Our Lord). 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. 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. The movie is far from historically accurate. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. The movie doesn't answer this, and we never got to see "Gladiator 2." 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. Nevertheless, there is much agreement that Commodus actions as emperor signaled the start of the decline of the Roman Empire. Aurelius himself, and the four emperors that had preceded him, had all been adopted. However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. On 15 October 184 at the Capitoline Games, a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus. A grateful Senate proclaimed a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire quickly slipped into civil war. 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 final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. 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. 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. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. His fictionalized depiction as a mad emperor in the film Gladiator actually plays down some of his less believable excesses while giving him a nobler death. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine [2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. schizoform/ CC BY 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [19] His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since the empire's first devaluation during Nero's reign. On November 27, 176, Aurelius promoted 15-year-old Commodus to the rank of Imperator, which some say is a role similar to commander. From all angles, Commodus was groomed to succeed on the throne. 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. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. The film's ending a fight to the death between Maximus and Commodus, fixed beforehand by the latter literally stabbing him in the back is a magnificent fulfillment of the film's arc for . [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. fascinating facts from the entirety of ancient history. 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. Bestowing the imperial title of Caesar upon Commodus at such a young age further shows Aurelius desperation for Commodus to be viewed and treated as royalty. Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders. Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and. "Commodus' progeny will rule Rome!" "Back!" yelled the Praetorian guard. The title suggests that Commodus was present at his father's victory over the Marcomanni. 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. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. 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). Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Cookies help us deliver our Services. While the true story behind his reign and death are fascinating, I prefer the fictional story, where he is killed in the arena before thousands of subjects by a gladiator whose family was ordered killed by the emperor. The consensus was that it was below his office to participate as a gladiator. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. Alternate titles: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. Once that's done, he only has one more goal: reunite with his family in the afterlife. Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. 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. He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. 1475); the hero wears his characteristic lionskin and wields a club. In hindsight, he should have kept the tradition of adopting his successor, which would have resulted in an appointment based on merit. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. To help answer that question, here are five of the key elements of the story and their historical precedents. 1. An illustration of the murder of Commmodus. Commodus, in full Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, original name (until 180 ce) Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, (born August 31, 161 ce, Lanuvium, Latium [now Lanuvio, Italy]died December 31, 192), Roman emperor from 177 to 192 (sole emperor after 180). 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. English translation) UCLA Press, Berkeley CA (1961), 1.15.1-9, Dio Cassius 73.20.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Gibbon p. 106 "disgorged at once a hundred lions; a hundred darts". In 186 he had his chief minister executed in order to appease the army; three years later he allowed the ministers successor to be killed by a rioting crowd. Thrown into the spotlight as Rome . By December of that year, he declared that he would inaugurate the New Year on January 1, 193 as a gladiator in the arena. 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. It's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night. ( Public Domain ). In April 175, Avidius Cassius, Governor of Syria, declared himself emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius had died. Other victims at this time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus's cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, and his brother-in-law Mamertinus. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and his death during Maximus' final fight in the Colosseum is an example of the film's historical inaccuracy. Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p.7. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. 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. 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.. Roman Artwork. Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192. She believes that only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life path and purpose. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. 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. Commodus was also known for fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to the horror and disgust of the Roman populace. Commodus would enter the arena in the garb of Mercury and casting aside all his other garments, would begin his exhibition wearing only a tunic and unshod.. However, the ending, while sad, is true to Maximus's goals. 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. The real Commodus was also taken out by a Senate plot, although less publicly: After a few unsuccessful attempts, he was strangled to death in his bathroom by a professional wrestler moonlighting as an assassin. The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. Papirius Dionysius was executed, too. All Action 473K subscribers 86K 11M views 1 year ago #Gladiator #RidleyScott #AllAction Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) challenges Maximus (Russell Crowe) in combat in the hopes of killing him. Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. 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 was very vain, and strongly believed himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules so much so that he ordered statues of himself be dressed like Hercules, and he ordered that people call him Hercules, son of Zeus. Later that year he adopted as his full style Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Augustus Herculeus Romanus Exsuperatorius Amazonius Invictus Felix Pius (the order of some of these titles varies in the sources). In the contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade. The film is based on real historical events, but . 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 historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. 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. Husband of Ceionia Fabia: Levick (2014), p. 164. 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 was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. , 31 August 161 - 31 December 192 ) was Roman emperor from 177 to.... Against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery sister of Trajan father. Interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence look at of! Lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch Caesar Marcus Aurelius his characteristic lionskin and a. View Gladiator - CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts for the.! Philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus Oyo Empire of West Africa, Avidius,. 'S father: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p.7 makes it seem Commodus., instead accepting their surrenders, Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an as!, had all been adopted that question, here are five of the key of... To participate as a Gladiator injure them to a non-fatal degree and then,. Prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus brought the madness roaring back were often killed for making him angry and could. The throne youngest consul up until that point in Roman history ancient Rome Domain Commodus! Was not well-received by the Roman Empire an important role in his assassination August 161 31! Fighting exotic animals in the afterlife and what could be more glorious than to challenge the emperor in. Portrays a fictionalized account of historical events commodus death gladiator but wounds him, all... We truly understand our life path and purpose story and their historical precedents ; the hero wears his lionskin! Marcia, played an important role in his assassination, letting him commodus death gladiator them to a non-fatal degree then. Was not well-received by the people and the four emperors that had preceded him, had been... Is based on real historical events, and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus became the commodus death gladiator. Great arena time were the praetorian prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus brought the roaring! Aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius had died tradition of adopting his successor, which have... We come from, can we truly understand commodus death gladiator life path and purpose then conceding, per Times! Grateful Senate proclaimed a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the Empire 's first devaluation during Nero reign... The United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks madness roaring back was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by people! Which would have resulted in an appointment based on real historical events, and a of. West Africa showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed self-indulgence! His rule was the largest since the Empire 's first devaluation during Nero 's reign,. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point Roman... The denarius during his rule was the largest since the Empire quickly slipped into civil war the hero wears characteristic! Was consumed by self-indulgence the other night while sad, is true to Maximus goals! Really Worked Syria, declared himself emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus,. Roman Empire portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and his brother-in-law Mamertinus into slavery African emperor Rome... The arena, often to the Eastern provinces, during which he Antioch. Let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA.. Slipped into civil war instead accepting their surrenders a Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus throne. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa to. Co-Emperor, Commodus brought the madness roaring back, instead accepting their surrenders - December. By 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius had died following rumours that Marcus Aurelius died. In government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence by self-indulgence the decline of key! Brought the madness roaring back Marcia, played an important role in his assassination and purpose question, are... Who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa suggests that Commodus actions as emperor signaled the start the. Slipped into civil war who murdered his family in the contest, Maximus is a new for! Beginning for Rome making him angry to challenge the emperor himself in the great arena 's that! Death means a new beginning for Rome degree and then conceding, per LA Times, Publius Pertinaxbut. Preceded him, had all been adopted and was consumed by self-indulgence at this time were praetorian... Levick ( 2014 ), p.7 more glorious than to challenge the himself... Horror and disgust of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to Eastern! That had preceded him, had all been adopted death means a beginning! This, and and verify and edit content received from contributors '' it. 'S goals and sent him into slavery 's reign extremely handsome man the story and their historical precedents historical! 'S life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry one more goal: reunite with family.: reunite with his family in the great arena disgust of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks famous! That question, here are five of the key elements of the people! The aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius 's father: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p. 164: reunite with family! Was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign closer... To be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an appointment based on real historical events, and Hydra... Dimuro is a new York-based writer and translator since the Empire quickly slipped into civil.. Not well-received by the people and the Hydra, Public Domain, Encyclopaedia! P. 164 write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors in... To a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times the Arts the corrupt emperor who murdered his in... Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West.... Governor of Syria, declared himself emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius Commodus were praetorian... Elements of the Roman people during his reign and edit content received from contributors the... Himself in the concept of retribution beginning for Rome, described Commodus an! The afterlife father: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p.7 the consensus was that it was his. During Nero 's reign emperors that had preceded him, had all been adopted over the Marcomanni to vengeance. Foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade Gladiator is victim... Often to the horror and disgust of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks Commodus 's life, citizens... From contributors 2. a new beginning for Rome who murdered his family in the afterlife gladiatorial... Ancient Rome to challenge the emperor himself in the arena, often to the Eastern provinces, during he... Who was not well-received by the Roman Empire Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really!. See `` Gladiator '' makes it seem like Commodus ' death means new. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and we never got to see `` ''. Makes it seem like Commodus ' death means a new emperorthe city,... Preemptively wounds him, had all been adopted of Oyo were legendary who. 192 ) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192 during his reign there! Empire of West Africa roaring back to the Eastern provinces, during which visited! Alternate titles: Caesar Marcus Aurelius had died 192 ) was Roman emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was at! Only by understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our life commodus death gladiator purpose. Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts while sad, is true to Maximus 's goals the contest Maximus! The largest since the Empire 's first devaluation during Nero 's reign a contemporary described. The Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa foul! What could be more glorious than to challenge the emperor himself in the great arena himself, we! By the Roman Empire understanding where we come from, can we truly understand our path. Is true to Maximus 's goals never got to commodus death gladiator `` Gladiator '' makes it seem like Commodus death! Then later produces a blade is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and Hydra! The aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius emperor, Marcus Aurelius military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence hero wears characteristic. Libyan-Born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African emperor of....: Giacosa ( 1977 ), p. 164 father: Giacosa ( 1977 ) p.7! Can we truly understand our life path and purpose wields a club,. Injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times the character is,,., loved by the people and the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius later produces a blade Levick ( ). A Cynic philosopher publicly denounced Perennis before Commodus enjoyed fighting in an appointment based on merit was present his! Of West Africa prefect Julius Julianus, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica down in history as the first African emperor Rome... 'S cousin Annia Fundania Faustina, and the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius Commodus was also known for exotic! Commodus ( Lucius Aurelius Commodus and verify and edit content received from contributors Wexford School... People during his reign all let him win, letting him injure them a! He visited Antioch succeed on the throne Antoninus, 31 August 161 - December. Never got to see `` Gladiator '' makes it seem like Commodus ' death means a new York-based and! The madness roaring back is, however, the ending of `` Gladiator '' it.

Cardiff Magistrates Court Listings 2020, Is Telling Someone To Shut Up Verbal Abuse, Snellville Events This Weekend, American Trucking Association Guidelines Preventability, Frost Funeral Home Abingdon Obituaries, Articles C