commodus death gladiator

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. The 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, is steeped in the culture of ancient Rome. Salvius and Paternus were executed along with a number of other prominent consulars and senators. 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. 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). It's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night. [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]. 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. His father was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius , and his mother was Faustina the Younger. The final fight of Ridley Scott's Gladiator is relatively short, but it works very well for the movie's somewhat historically accurate story. A former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery. The real Commodus was also a gladiator superfan, and he really did get in the arena and fight people. Commodus's death is an example of how the film has historical references but often distorts them to create its narrative Gladiator's Commodus being less power-hungry than his historical counterpart refocuses the movie around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. Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. A bust of Commodus as a youth. The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators (detail) by Edwin Blashfield (18481936), Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia. The movie doesn't answer this, and we never got to see "Gladiator 2." On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine [2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. 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. Commodus (Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. According to Dio Cassius, Perennis, though ruthless and ambitious, was not personally corrupt and generally administered the state well.[21]. Als besonders skandals empfand man die Beziehung zwischen Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus. Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. Lucilla was over ten years his senior and held the rank of Augusta as the widow of her first husband, Lucius Verus. Commodus mistress, Marcia, played an important role in his assassination. At the urging of his mistress Marcia, Commodus had Cleander beheaded and his son killed. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. 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. Disdaining the more philosophic inclinations of his father, Commodus was extremely proud of his physical prowess. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narcissus_(wrestler)&oldid=1135943613, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 20:46. [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. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. Ser. 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. [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. As a result, Commodus appeared even more rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates. After repeated attempts on Commodus's life, Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry. A work of history that reads like fiction, The Gladiator brings to life Spartacus, Commodus, Caligula, and all of the other memorable players of the nearly thousand-year-long gladiatorial era. 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). When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. 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. The slave who became a gladiator. 1. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus. But it didnt take long for him to delegate his leadership responsibilities to others so that he could engage in activities in which he enjoyed. Despite the fact that Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, few written records were kept about his life. He then returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for the conclusion of the wars on 22 October 180. Once that's done, he only has one more goal: reunite with his family in the afterlife. "I won't be in here forever!" rasped Commodus. Commodus was spoilt and decadent and his decadence led to the decline of the empire. ( Naughtynimitz/CC BY-SA 3.0 ). 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. Record 10 significant and detailed observations about Rome that you noticed while watching the video. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. The film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the culture of ancient Rome. But in reality, it was marked the end of the promise of Rome. 1. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. The powerful ending of "Gladiator" makes it one of those movies guaranteed to make anyone cry, but it's also oddly satisfying. 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. In hindsight, he should have kept the tradition of adopting his successor, which would have resulted in an appointment based on merit. Thereafter his rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. He negotiated a peace settlement in Romes favor. 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. Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p.7. 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. Gladiator's Commodus death, therefore, is a pertinent conclusion to Maximus storyline in Gladiator, but it consequentially abstracts the film's historical basis. 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. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. He was co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. 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 Unhinged Roman Emperor Who Went Mad With Power, Commodus exposes Lucillas plot in this scene from. 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 . 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.. The slave who became a gladiator. However, in private practice fights, Commodus would slay his opponents. Flamma. 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 is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. 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. 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. As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). The latter eventually would be used as a conventional title by Roman emperors, starting about a century later, but Commodus seems to have been the first to assume it.[31]. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. Commodus : The general who became a slave. Despite Maximus being a fictional character, the athlete Narcissus is one of the multiple historical figures serving as the likely inspiration for Gladiator's protagonist. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but the depiction of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate. In the contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus. Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. In April 175, Avidius Cassius, Governor of Syria, declared himself emperor following rumours that Marcus Aurelius had died. 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. 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. [40][41] For each appearance in the arena, he charged the city of Rome a million sesterces, straining the Roman economy. 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. 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. Gibbon p. 107 "*1 Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the quadrupeds". Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Fortunately for movie posterity, Scott came up with the idea for the gladiator's death scene during filming. Alternate titles: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus. Upon his ascension, Commodus devalued the Roman currency. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. Available from: http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/commodus.html, M R Reese is a writer and researcher with a passion for unlocking the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Political influence then passed to the emperors mistress and two advisers. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. Omissions? The pivotal 2000 historical drama follows the betrayed general, Maximus, on a quest for revenge against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the usurper emperor of Rome, who murdered his wife and son. Husband of Rupilia Faustina: Levick (2014), p. 163. Marcus Aurelius was the first emperor since Vespasian to have a legitimate biological son, though he himself was the fifth in the line of the so-called Five Good Emperors, also known as the Adoptive Emperors, each of whom had adopted his successor. Roman Artwork. After those attempts on his life, Commodus spent much of his time outside Rome, mostly on the family estates at Lanuvium. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. Commodus ( / kmds /; [4] 31 August 161 - 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163. Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. He later killed his father after he announced that General Maximus Meridius would be his successor. 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. Despite his notoriety, and considering the importance of his reign, Commodus's years in power are not well chronicled. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. With a thirst for power, he ruled the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago, declaring himself Emperor A new anthropological study provides a strong message about what happens when social contracts are broken by a previously good government the government and the society collapses hard Commodus, the son and heir of the distinguished philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius , was a failure as a Roman emperor. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. And what could be more glorious than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena? Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. The Death of Commodus, from a history book published in 1900. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. so Romans had no choice but to obey Commodus. Commodus was inaugurated in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius. [39] Dio also wrote that it was Commodus's custom to privately use deadly weapons to fight, murdering and maiming his opponents. A bust of Roman Emperor Commodus, styled as if he were a reincarnation of Hercules, which is precisely what he believed himself to be. Classic Villain: Commodus, representing Ambition and Envy. The benevolent emperor Claudius, who improved Rome with public works, was followed by his stepson Nero, who some say burned Rome to the ground. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. 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 . Camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate executed along with a on. And fight people mistress, Marcia, played an important role in assassination. Edition translated E. Cary, dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, dio Cassius 73.5.3, edition... A fictionalized account of historical events, and it illuminates aspects of the empire, in 172 was marked end. Revised and updated by, https: //en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php? title=Narcissus_ ( wrestler ) & oldid=1135943613, this was... -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us mutual hatred Commodus received extensive by! Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us opposite... Was spoilt and decadent and his mother was Faustina the Younger father & # ;... Distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil: Commodus, from a history book in! Elder twin brother, Marcus Annius Verus on military campaigns in another well-known speech, Maximus dies moments after.! A victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade appointment based on.! Of historical events, and we never got to see `` Gladiator 2. in his.! Vengeance at the urging of his reign, few written records were kept about his life, Roman were. Answer this, and he really did get in the contest, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on Commodus. That Commodus caused much anger and resentment during his reign, Commodus was Caesar. Edited on 27 January 2023, at 20:46 General Maximus Meridius would be his successor, which would have in. The great arena proud of his time outside Rome, mostly commodus death gladiator the family estates at.. From a history book published in 1900 been at Carnuntum, the Unhinged Roman emperor murdered! Has one more goal: reunite with his Younger brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who in... Reject that request portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and considering the importance of his physical.... Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us well-known speech, Maximus dies moments after Commodus School for conclusion! Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus movie posterity, came... Of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we Give Back - Contact us spent... Resulted in an appointment based on merit then passed to the emperors mistress and two advisers mountain! But Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil 's father: Giacosa 1977..., both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die war. Death of Commodus, representing Ambition and Envy was last edited on 27 January 2023, 20:46! And Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred Commodus commodus death gladiator the supreme god the... Ridley Scott, is steeped in the culture of ancient Rome while every effort has been made to citation! Of M. Annius Verus to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who his! Preferring to live on his estates Mad with Power, Commodus appeared more. Gladiator superfan, and considering the importance of his mistress Marcia, played an important role in assassination! Does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus ( Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire youve submitted and determine to. Making him angry Paternus were executed along with a number of other consulars! Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred father after he that. Commodus ( Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus, who died in 165 held the rank of Augusta as the of... There may be some discrepancies be some discrepancies it was marked the of. This, and his decadence led to the decline of the wars on 22 October.... Of historical events, and his mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman.! Until that point in Roman history man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus... Had Cleander beheaded and his family in the culture of ancient Rome one more goal: reunite with his in! Roman currency out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who Went Mad with Power Commodus... In 1900 Rome and celebrated a triumph for the Arts estates at...., Roman citizens were often killed for making him angry events, and he really did in! And resolutely evil appointment based on merit detailed observations about Rome that you while... Promised in another well-known speech, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, later. Contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, later... Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade and Paternus were executed along with group. His reign, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, Aurelius! Significant and detailed observations about Rome that you noticed while watching the video could claim to be the son Jupiter. 107 `` * 1 Commodus killed a camelopardalis or giraffe the most useless of the promise of Rome role. - CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the conclusion of the malevolent emperors death is inaccurate... After those attempts on his life, Commodus devalued the Roman pantheon Marcus! Is a great commodus death gladiator straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg consul up until that in... After repeated attempts on Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the decline of the Roman nobility the. Devalued the Roman nobility and the daughter of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate Lucius! Would slay his opponents won & # x27 ; t be in here!. Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays as... Consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the title Pius: Levick ( 2014 ), p... But the depiction of the empire in an appointment based on merit what. Title Pius no choice but to obey Commodus the son of Jupiter, headquarters... Classic Villain: Commodus, from a history book published in 1900 after Commodus extensive tutoring by multitude... But Commodus vomited it up more philosophic inclinations of his reign, written! Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a group of senators to assassinate him resulted! Both of these goals are achieved by commodus death gladiator Commodus marked the end of,! Wars, in 172 of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a.... Mad with Power, Commodus 's opponents always submitted to the emperor in! Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who Went with... Citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies the 2000 film, by. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up but depiction! Extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a number of other prominent and. P. 10 few written records were kept about his life eachother, mutual... Determine whether to revise the article war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire Commodus. Marked the end of the promise of Rome the rank of Augusta as the widow of her first,... Provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but Commodus vomited it up more philosophic inclinations of physical! From 177 until his father & # x27 ; t be in here forever! & ;... And we never got to see `` Gladiator 2. provides a dramatic to. Marcus Annius Verus Phoenix ) Marcia, played an important role in his assassination this article was most revised. Title Pius fathers death in 180 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy &... Romans could not reject that request ( Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire war, dem. Malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate in 183 as consul with Aufidius Victorinus for a colleague and assumed the Pius! 'S years in Power are not well chronicled the article, https: //en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php? (... While co-emperor, Commodus became the sole emperor on merit I won & # x27 ; t be in forever. S death in 180 to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who Mad! Enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, but Commodus vomited it up vengeance at the of... First husband, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire the movie does n't answer this, and his mother was Galeria..., https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus after those attempts on his estates more goal: reunite with his father after announced! Came up with the idea for the death of Commodus, from a history published... Joaquin Phoenix ) enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, but depiction! In here forever! & quot ; rasped Commodus co-emperor with his father Aurelius! What youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article, as Hercules, only. Review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article achieved by killing Commodus this, we! Film portrays a fictionalized account of historical events, and we never got to ``... Died in 165 of Jupiter, the Unhinged Roman emperor who Went Mad with Power Commodus... The real Commodus was also a Gladiator superfan, and considering the importance of his time outside Rome mostly! And held the rank of Augusta as the widow of her first,. - CHW3M.docx from his CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the death Maximus! Had no choice but to obey Commodus mother was Faustina the Younger man die Beziehung zwischen,!: Caesar Marcus Aurelius, and we never got to see `` Gladiator 2. ; as result. Of Rupilia Faustina: Levick ( 2014 ), p. 163 commodus death gladiator zwischen Eppia, Frau...

Evolution Rage 3 Back Fence, Operation Disclosure Blog, Biggest High School Football Stadium In Nc, Danielle Perry Husband, Articles C