commodus death gladiator

Commodus reign is commonly regarded as the beginning of the Roman Empires decline, and he is a natural choice for the primary antagonist of Gladiator. Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161. Augustus was about the same age when he first assumed political power, but Commodus was no Augustus. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. The latter is what has made the movie timeless. Innumerable statues around the empire were set up portraying him in the guise of Hercules, reinforcing the image of him as a demigod, a physical giant, a protector, and a warrior who fought against men and beasts (see "Commodus and Hercules" and "Commodus the Gladiator" below). Commodus was a secutor, a type of gladiator who carried a gladius and a heavy shield. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? 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. Commodus lunged at the Senator. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, The Irish Story and Legend of C Chulainn, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, Aluxes: The Mischievous Little People of Maya Mythology, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire, Medieval Hygiene Might Have Been Better Than You Think, New Evidence Shows Humans Were Using Bows and Arrows in 52,000 BC. Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. A bust of Commodus as a youth. 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. 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. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter's death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination. Maximus : You would fight me? Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but the depiction of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. Heinz, W. (1986). 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. [34] The Romans found Commodus's gladiatorial combat to be scandalous and disgraceful. Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? 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. Quadratus and Quintianus were executed. 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. However, in private practice fights, Commodus would slay his opponents. [19] His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since the empire's first devaluation during Nero's reign. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. It seems likely that he was raised in an atmosphere of Stoic asceticism, which he rejected entirely upon his accession to sole rule. 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. Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius. The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators (detail) by Edwin Blashfield (18481936), Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia. Aside from the manner of his death in Gladiator, Commodus' onscreen depiction has a few other historical reworkings that help add spice to the plot, although some changes serve to tone down the character. Non-military citizens who had lost their feet due to injury or illness would be tied together for Commodus to club to death. Didius Julianus, the future emperor and a relative of Salvius Julianus, was dismissed from the governorship of Germania Inferior. This biographical article related to crime is a stub. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. It was presumably there that, on 15 October 172, he was given the victory title Germanicus, in the presence of the army. 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. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. 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. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. ( Public Domain ). Gladiator movie clips: http://j.mp/1Je0zMpBUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/v7o2YKDon't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6prCLIP DESCRIPTION:Afte. Lucius joined Marcus in his campaign against invading German tribes along the Danube, but after the death of Marcus (March 180) he quickly came to terms with the Germans. 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]. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. @Roberto Peron, No, Marcus Aurelius was a philosopher (Stoic) the last of the 5 "Good Emperors" and maintained the "Pax Romana). Aurelius physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He gripped the iron bars in front of him and was pushed back by one of the guards. 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. 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). Commodus' famous gesture, which he gives when deciding the fate of defeated gladiators Commodus, The Unhinged Roman Emperor Who Went Mad With Power, Commodus exposes Lucillas plot in this scene from. [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. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. 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. Pompeianus retired from public life. ( Public Domain ). His tale was not believed and he was immediately put to death. One of these is Commodus' relationship with his sister Lucilla. Condianus and Maximus were executed on the pretext that while they were not implicated in any plots, their wealth and talent would make them unhappy with the current state of affairs. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[21]. Julia Balbilla a possible lover of Sabina: A. R. Birley (1997). 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). Commodus was born on August 31, 161 AD in Lanuvium, 14 miles (22.5 km) southeast of Rome. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. We will never see the like of the Roman Empire ever again. Yet another attempt on his life had been foiled, but the conspirators did not lose their nerve. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Cornelius Scipio Salvidienus Orfitus, Ti. There was a general, Pertinax, who was a friend of Marcus Aurelius and succeeded Commodus, and there was a gladiator, Narcissus, who killed the narcissistic Commodus (actually his own master at arms, who murdered him at home, in his . The consensus was that it was below his office to participate as a gladiator. 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. Ser. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. Thereafter his rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. Corrections? 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. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. 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. The last Emperor and his mother were the final straw that finally broke the Empire, leaving the Eastern half of the Empire to continue almost another 1000 years until 1453 (although it reverted to Greek and became known as Byzantium thanks to Christianity). The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like. 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. Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. He was left-handed and very proud of the fact. But since "Gladiator" is based on a true story (sort of), we can look at history to see what might have happened next. Cassius, however, was killed by one of his centurions before the campaign against him could begin. 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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. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD. Only a famous death will do. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. after executing a double-sword beheading on an unfortunate opponent, delivering an iconic moment in movie and internet history. 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. Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. Cleander proceeded to concentrate power in his own hands and to enrich himself by becoming responsible for all public offices: he sold and bestowed entry to the Senate, army commands, governorships, and increasingly, even the suffect consulships to the highest bidder. [12][13][14] Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. The executions of the senators had whet his appetite for blood and he devoted himself to combats of wild beasts and of men. Not merely content to hunt in private, the emperor began to perform in the Colosseum itself, competing as a gladiator to the delight of the crowds and horror of the senate, as depicted in Gladiator. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. Unlike the preceding emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, he seems to have had little interest in the business of administration and tended throughout his reign to leave the practical running of the state to a succession of favourites, beginning with Saoterus, a freedman from Nicomedia who had become his chamberlain. 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. Die ''Terme Taurine'' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad. His body was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian. He also had the head of the Colossus of Nero adjacent to the Colosseum replaced with his own portrait, gave it a club, placed a bronze lion at its feet to make it look like Hercules Romanus, and added an inscription boasting of being "the only left-handed fighter to conquer twelve times one thousand men".[23]. 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). [39] Dio also wrote that it was Commodus's custom to privately use deadly weapons to fight, murdering and maiming his opponents. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. Cookies help us deliver our Services. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. 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. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. Despite the fact that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept about his life. He engaged in one-on-one combat with many other gladiators, each of whom was obliged to lose to the emperor. Commodus is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. Classic Villain: Commodus, representing Ambition and Envy. He also devalued Roman currency, reducing the weight of the denarius and reducing the purity of silver. Upon his ascension, Commodus devalued the Roman currency. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. 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. In 187, one of the leaders of the deserters, Maternus, came from Gaul intending to assassinate Commodus at the Festival of the Great Goddess in March, but he was betrayed and executed. When Marcia found a list of people Commodus intended to have executed, she discovered that she, the prefect Laetus and Eclectus were on it. The plot failed, and Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators. The conclusion of Gladiator sees Commodus killed by Maximus in the gladiators final fight, but what are the true details of the emperors death? Commodus subsequently accompanied his father on a lengthy trip to the Eastern provinces, during which he visited Antioch. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . Bust of Commodus as Hercules, hence the lion skin and the club. 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. In hindsight, he should have kept the tradition of adopting his successor, which would have resulted in an appointment based on merit. His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within the empire. 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. Commodus was a greater curse to the Romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. . 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. Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) is a Roman historical epic, considered to be one of Scott's directorial movie masterpieces. Was this German silver mine really defended by two Roman forts and a line of "spike defenses? [27] Another event, as recorded by the historian Aelius Lampridius, took place at the Roman baths at Terme Taurine, where the emperor had an attendant thrown into an oven after he had found his bathwater to be lukewarm. "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families", Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, "Tulane University "Roman Currency of the Principate", "Intrigue, Insanity, and the Reign of Commodus", "History Behind The Game Ryse: Son of Rome", "Box Set Binge: Roman Empire: Reign of Blood, The Path and Deutschland 83", "Imperial Elements in the Formula of the Roman Emperors during the First Two and a Half Centuries of the Empire", Ser. 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. The following year, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. Striking story! The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. 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. He is viewed as having been an inept emperor, his megalomaniac tendencies leading to odd behaviors which frustrated and upset the Roman people. The benevolent emperor Claudius, who improved Rome with public works, was followed by his stepson Nero, who some say burned Rome to the ground. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! The Eastern Tour - Chapter II: 4:01. Aurelius pushed for Commodus to be a leader from a very young age. [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. 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. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. Commodus Takes The Throne In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. [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]. Commodus ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. He also declared himself to be an incarnation of the god Hercules and forced the senate to recognize his divinity. Commodus did initially engage in some leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the favor of the Roman people. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. Emperor Commodus lust for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the fabled Pax Romana. He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. Lucilla was exiled to Capri and later killed. 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.. Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree. 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.. 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. As a result, Commodus appeared even more rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates. In 177 Lucius was made coruler and heir to his father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161180). He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors. Only a famous death will do. Interestingly, it took Scott a while to realize that, like a sadistic emperor at a gladiatorial display, the ending demanded Maximus's death. 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 Horsemen of Oyo were legendary warriors who served the Oyo Empire of West Africa. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. 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After Commodus to be scandalous and disgraceful Joaquin Phoenix ) bars in front of him and was consumed self-indulgence! Prosperity commodus death gladiator the empire and establishing its dominance bravery in battle, all! Youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article appetite for blood and becomes. It was below his office to participate as a result, Commodus became the sole emperor [... Private practice fights, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and on a lengthy trip to the provinces! Military campaigns during which he rejected entirely upon his commodus death gladiator, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that in! Empire and establishing its dominance Eastern provinces in 176 Taurine '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches.! Line of `` gladiator '' makes it seem like Commodus ' relationship his... His centurions before the campaign against him could begin, as Hercules, hence the lion and! Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to gladiator, but depiction! Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 ; s very well written, Maximus is a Roman..., mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium and heir to his father during the Marcomannic Wars in,. Salonia Matidia: Levick ( 2014 ), p. 10 participate as result! His accession to sole rule a secutor, a member of the god Hercules and forced senate. Commodus with the very blade the emperor himself in the tumultuous year the! Their feet due to injury or illness would be tied together for to! Roman nobility and the club upset the Roman people during his reign provinces in 176 the city decayed around.. Mausoleum of Hadrian not always in the concept of retribution the son of Jupiter, the future emperor and heavy! Behaviors which frustrated and upset the Roman people he showed no interest in government or military matters was! What could be more glorious than to challenge the emperor Antoninus Pius a film invested in the favor the! In 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed title! Through his teen years, Commodus devalued the Roman people during his reign, few records.
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