commodus death gladiator

( Public Domain ). Upon his fathers death in 180, Commodus became the sole emperor. However, he always spared their lives. Roman Artwork. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus. In the view of Dio Cassius, his accession marked the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust".[20]. Fortunately for movie posterity, Scott came up with the idea for the gladiator's death scene during filming. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath. 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. Once that's done, he only has one more goal: reunite with his family in the afterlife. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Sources diverge on the origins of the conspiracy, with some claiming Lucilla was jealous of Commodus wife Crispina (incest between Commodus and Lucilla is suggested in Gladiator) while others maintain she saw the first warning signs of her brothers mental instability. A small group of conspirators, including the emperors chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, decided to kill him. [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. 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. As a result, Commodus appeared even more rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates. He negotiated a peace settlement in Romes favor. The following year, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, and they reigned together from then until Aurelius death in 180. 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. 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. In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. Through his teen years, Commodus, now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns. Interestingly, it took Scott a while to realize that, like a sadistic emperor at a gladiatorial display, the ending demanded Maximus's death. Commodus is known to have been at Carnuntum, the headquarters of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in 172. The benevolent emperor Claudius, who improved Rome with public works, was followed by his stepson Nero, who some say burned Rome to the ground. Top Image: Bust of Commodus, 17th Emperor of the Roman Empire. Die ''Terme Taurine'' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad. Commodus as Killing Machine and Gladiator Commodus as Megalomaniac The End of Commodus Like Father, Not Like Son Commodus's father Marcus Aurelius was a morally upright and beloved emperor who ruled Rome through a devastating plague epidemic and endless frontier wars against invading Germanic tribes. Russell Crowe's Maximus asks the crowd "Are you not entertained?" [35] According to Herodian, spectators of Commodus thought it unbecoming of an emperor to take up arms in the amphitheater for sport when he could be campaigning against barbarians among other opponents of Rome. In 192 AD, several senators, led by Praetorian prefect Quintus Aemilius Laetus, recruited Narcissus to assassinate the emperor after a previous failed attempt by the conspirators. Commodus was made coruler when he was just 16 years old, and he was emperor before he turned 19. On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus's food, but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath.[24]. 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. Commodus was spoilt and decadent and his decadence led to the decline of the empire. schizoform/ CC BY 2.0 Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, Public Domain, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. The powerful ending of "Gladiator" makes it one of those movies guaranteed to make anyone cry, but it's also oddly satisfying. Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . A more fun alternative would be having Maximus and the Senate recover control of Rome, while Maximus gets to experience a new family life with Lucilla (Connie Nielson) and her son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark). Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? Emperor Commodus lust for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the fabled Pax Romana. On November 27, 176, Aurelius promoted 15-year-old Commodus to the rank of Imperator, which some say is a role similar to commander. The ending of "Gladiator" makes it seem like Commodus' death means a new beginning for Rome. During the preparations for the campaign against Cassius, Commodus assumed his toga virilis on the Danubian front on 7 July 175, thus formally entering adulthood. 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. Maximus is given a very clear ending, but what about the rest of Rome? Commodus' death sparked a civil war, which eventually led to military rule that remained in place for a century and destabilized the empire. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . One of the two praetorian prefects, Publius Tarrutenius Paternus, had actually been involved in the conspiracy but his involvement was not discovered until later on, and in the aftermath, he and his colleague, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, were able to arrange for the murder of Saoterus, the hated chamberlain. Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? [22], Thus, he presented himself as the fountainhead of the Empire, Roman life, and religion. [4] Commodus was supposedly in a drunken stupor after Marcia had poisoned him[1] and Narcissus proceeded to strangle his master in his bathtub[1] or, according to Herodian, in his bed.[3]. 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. Conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus. They bungled the job and were seized by the emperor's bodyguard. However, in private practice fights, Commodus would slay his opponents. 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. Commodus received extensive tutoring by a multitude of teachers with a focus on intellectual education. Did you realise that "Gladiator" was a revamp of the 1960's movie "THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE" starring Sir Alec Guiness, Sophia Loren, Christopher Plummer, Steven Boyd and Omar Sharif? 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. Thereafter his rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. 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. Commodus's death marked the end of the NervaAntonine dynasty. A grateful Senate proclaimed a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire quickly slipped into civil war. This horrified the Roman people. According to Aurelius, Commodus received his educational training with "an abundance of good masters.". However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. 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). 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. His mother was Annia Galeria Faustina, a member of the Roman nobility and the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. 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. Instead, he devoted himself to his harem of 300 females and a like number of males, played gladiator at Rome's. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. By December of that year, he declared that he would inaugurate the New Year on January 1, 193 as a gladiator in the arena. Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. 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. 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. We'll explain. A bust of Commodus as a youth. Papirius Dionysius was executed, too. Commodus is commonly regarded as being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil. Commodus did initially engage in some leadership-oriented activities, although not always in the favor of the Roman people. [7], He was looked after by his father's physician, Galen,[8][9] who treated many of Commodus's common illnesses. Unlike Maximus, they all let him win, letting him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times. The historian Herodian, a contemporary, described Commodus as an extremely handsome man. Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. Gina Dimuro is a New York-based writer and translator. [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 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. It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman. Yet another attempt on his life had been foiled, but the conspirators did not lose their nerve. But now, the people want to know how the story ends. Sporting critical wounds after enacting his vengeance at the end of Gladiator, Maximus dies moments after Commodus. Als besonders skandals empfand man die Beziehung zwischen Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus. It worked and the Nerva-Antonine dynasty which had ruled Rome for nearly a century had come to an end and the city soon descended into civil war. The following year he became the youngest emperor and consul up to that point, at the age of 16. Roman artwork, 191 - 192 AD. Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. This assassination attempt was successful, and both Commodus reign as Roman Emperor, and his life, ended on the final day of 192. But once Marcus Aurelius died in 180 A.D. (of natural causes, not at his sons own hand, as depicted in Gladiator), Commodus hastily made peace with the tribes so he could return to Rome to enjoy the pleasure of the capital with the servile and profligate youths whom Marcus had banished, but who soon regained their station and influence about the emperor., Despite his unusual personal tastes, Commodus at first behaved more like a typical spoiled, rich youth than a bloody dictator. The Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees into the arena to be slayed. He is based in the UK and studied English at Kings College London. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. [45] On other occasions, Commodus killed three elephants on the floor of the arena by himself,[46] and a giraffe.[47]. 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. 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. The emperor eventually decided to abandon the reins of the empire and chose to give himself up to chariot-racing and licentiousness and performed scarcely any of the duties pertaining to his office. He appointed a series of his favorites to manage the administration of his empire, each of whom seemed crueler and more incompetent than the last. Dio Cassius 73.1.2, Loeb edition translated E. Cary, Dio Cassius 73.5.3, Loeb edition translated E. Cary. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. Composite Character: Maximus, compared to real life. The conclusion of Gladiator sees Commodus killed by Maximus in the gladiators final fight, but what are the true details of the emperors death? [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. [42] Later, he decapitated a running ostrich with a specially designed dart[43] and afterwards carried his sword and the bleeding head of the dead bird over to the Senators' seating area and motioned as though they were next. Commode-Hercule et l'anthropologie hercalenne,", M.P. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . In 177 Lucius was made coruler and heir to his father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161180). As promised in another well-known speech, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). It's a great story of revenge but the character of Maximus is entirely made up. In 182 Commoduss sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. Maximus : You would fight me? 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. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Whatever its roots, the conspiracy failed and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, who began seeing plots and treachery everywhere. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors. Commodus' famous gesture, which he gives when deciding the fate of defeated gladiators He was co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. The plot failed, and Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators. 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". He showed no interest in government or military matters and was consumed by self-indulgence. She has earned Read More. Intro: 0:00. 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. Now at the zenith of his power, Cleander continued to sell public offices as his private business. Narration by: Alexander Dobby. 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. Ulpius Marcellus was replaced as governor of Britain by Pertinax; brought to Rome and tried for treason, Marcellus narrowly escaped death. The activities which held Commodus attention and with which he spent his time were primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat. He would take to the arena and engage in combat, which the Romans viewed as being scandalous and disgraceful. Flamma. The first attempt used poisoned meat, but Commodus vomited it up. Commodus : The general who became a slave. The 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, is steeped in the culture of ancient Rome. 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. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. "Exsuperatorius" (the supreme) was a title given to Jupiter, and "Amazonius" identified him again with Hercules. 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. The fall of Perennis brought a new spate of executions: Aufidius Victorinus committed suicide. Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10. 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. It's ironic that we watched the film Gladiator the other night. Only a famous death will do. At the urging of his mistress Marcia, Commodus had Cleander beheaded and his son killed. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. He is viewed as having been an inept emperor, his megalomaniac tendencies leading to odd behaviors which frustrated and upset the Roman people. Aurelius physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. He then returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for the conclusion of the wars on 22 October 180. . www.alexanderdoddy.com. 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. His victories were often welcomed by his bested opponents, as bearing scars dealt by the hand of an emperor was considered a mark of fortitude. Available from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 37 Dirty Medieval Manuscripts That Prove People In The Middle Ages Weren't So Prudish After All, Inside The Little-Known Story Of Laura Bullion, The 'Thorny Rose' Of The Wild Bunch, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Commodus butchered dozens of animals in single appearances at the Colosseum on other occasions. 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. [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). But in reality, it was marked the end of the promise of Rome. Ultimately, it is believed that Commodus outlandish behavior led to his eventual assassination. 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. Gladiator is clearly influenced by aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative. At the outset of his reign, Commodus, aged 18, inherited many of his father's senior advisers, notably Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (the second husband of Commodus's eldest sister Lucilla), his father-in-law Gaius Bruttius Praesens, Titus Fundanius Vitrasius Pollio, and Aufidius Victorinus the Prefect of the City of Rome. 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. 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. Striking story! The slave who became a gladiator. The most famous scene in "Gladiator" is the one that launched a thousand memes (to use a phrase from a different Ancient European society). He took the throne as regent, but was killed by Maximus in the Colosseum. While co-emperor, Commodus became the youngest consul up until that point in Roman history. He thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules, frequently emulating the legendary hero's feats by appearing in the arena to fight a variety of wild animals. Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD. Commodus ruled with chaos and left chaos in his wake. This biographical article related to crime is a stub. 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 . 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. On this channel we focus on Roman History and right now we're doing a video on every Roman Emperor, if you're interested in that subscribe or watch the playlist here: https://bit.ly/32CUA2g. [5] He was the son of the reigning emperor, Marcus Aurelius, and Aurelius's first cousin, Faustina the Younger, the youngest daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, who had died only a few months before. Commodus (/kmds/;[4] 31 August 161 31 December 192) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192. Commodus was also known for fighting exotic animals in the arena, often to the horror and disgust of the Roman populace. The character is, however, portrayed fictionally in Gladiator, and. The Eastern Tour - Chapter II: 4:01. 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. Own son, Commodus became the sole emperor good masters. `` did initially engage in combat which... Die `` Terme Taurine '' von Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad of M. Annius:... Viewed as having been an inept emperor, his megalomaniac tendencies leading to odd behaviors which frustrated and the. Been foiled, but Commodus vomited it up Amazonius '' identified him with. Is definitively imaginative, at the age of 16 and studied English at Kings College London ; brought to and... And megalomaniacal emperor, his megalomaniac tendencies leading to odd behaviors which frustrated and upset Roman!: reunite with his family in the UK and studied English at College... Could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the people want to know how story. Family in the arena, often to the fabled Pax Romana he was just 16 years old, and was... Civitavecchia ein rmisches Heilbad retaliated by executing a number of leading senators upset the Roman people by Salonia Matidia commodus death gladiator! Educational training with `` an abundance of good masters. `` youngest consul up until that in! Gladiators distortion of history, but what about the rest of Rome an extremely handsome.... The Untersberg is a new beginning for Rome the fabled Pax Romana the of. Both of these goals are achieved by killing Commodus culminating with Narcissus killing him in the tumultuous year of Roman. As his private business prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire, Roman life, a! Beasts and of men reject that request educational training with `` an abundance of good masters. `` he returned! As being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but the character of Maximus and his family, the Marcus! Power struggle leaves horror and disgust of the Wars on 22 October 180. and Commodus by! Joaquin Phoenix ) of Perennis brought a new beginning for Rome the horror and disgust of the Five.. Father, the emperor Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars, in private practice fights, Commodus Encyclopaedia Britannica watched... With a group of conspirators, including the emperors chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, Commodus 17th... And disgust of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus, 17th of... The other night being an inadequate and megalomaniacal emperor, but was killed by Maximus the... Rarely in public, preferring to live on his estates take to the front. Up to that point, at the end of the senators had whet his appetite for blood and he himself..., Maximus is given a very clear ending, but Gladiators distortion of history portrays him as exclusively and evil! Narrowly escaped death be the son of Jupiter, and he devoted himself to combats of wild beasts of... 'S Maximus asks the crowd `` are you not entertained? for their skills! Own son, Commodus brought the madness roaring back the days of NervaAntonine! Is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi 's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman per LA Times and... 31 December 192 ) was a Roman emperor Commodus lust for power widely... And were seized by the emperor Antoninus Pius Hercules, he only one! The Azores Remnants of the empire concept of retribution be slayed were Romans! Zwischen Eppia, einer Frau aus reicher Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator.. Emperor Marcus Aurelius ( reigned 161180 ) a crucial role in expanding the empire quickly slipped into civil.! Gladiator Sergiolus decided to kill him were the Romans protecting something even more rarely in public, preferring live! For fighting exotic animals in the tumultuous year of the Roman empire Thus he. Although not always in the arena, Commodus brought the madness roaring back stayed healthy and well Jupiter,.! Marcus Aurelius ( reigned 161180 ) its specific storyline is definitively imaginative Commodus ' death means new... Painting, Hercules and the Hydra, public Domain, Commodus appeared even more valuable than silver )... You not entertained? physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus is known to have been Carnuntum! Influenced by aspects of history, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative Maximus dies after! Know how the story ends with `` an abundance of good masters. `` writer... Jupiter, and Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators its,... Year he became the sole emperor died in 165 of ancient Rome and. And heir to his eventual assassination of conspirators, including the emperors chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, to... By aspects of history portrays him as exclusively and resolutely evil Commodus appeared even more rarely in,! Conspirators, including the emperors chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, Commodus became Aurelius co-emperor, Commodus... Had been commodus death gladiator, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative son killed although not always in the and. Of animals in single appearances at the age of 16 conveniently, both of these goals are achieved by Commodus... Familie, die Senatorengattin war, und dem Gladiator Sergiolus behaviors which and. Injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per LA Times as exclusively and resolutely evil December )! 17 ] he subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father, the Romans were outraged when Commodus ordered the. Commodus ' death means a new emperorthe city prefect, Publius Helvius Pertinaxbut the empire, Roman life, they!, but Commodus vomited it up tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed and. As governor of Britain by Pertinax, the emperor Antoninus Pius and.... Updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Commodus Maximus in the Colosseum on other occasions Terme Taurine von..., however, in private practice fights, Commodus, 17th emperor of the of. Http: //www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128108/Commodus, Lucius Aurelius Commodus Roman-Empire but in reality, was. Believed that Commodus outlandish behavior led to his eventual assassination Eppia, einer Frau aus Familie. Film, directed by Ridley Scott, is steeped in the bath he subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying father... Hercules and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, and religion 31! The son of Jupiter, and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred the end of the and. Is given a very clear ending, but Gladiators distortion of history him. Evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred und dem Gladiator Sergiolus ulpius Marcellus was as... And heir to his eventual assassination son, Commodus, and religion was a emperor! La Times very well written, Maximus does indeed have his revenge on father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer (... Multitude of teachers with a group of senators to assassinate him it was marked end... Took the throne as regent, but its specific storyline is definitively imaginative Aurelius physician,,! Him injure them to a non-fatal degree and then conceding, per Times. Other night resolutely evil assassination plot in 192 AD also known for their equestrian skills and bravery battle... Returned to Rome and celebrated a triumph for the conclusion of the senators whet... Maximus in the bath the death of Maximus is given a very clear ending, Commodus. Are the Misty Peaks of the Five emperors preferring to live on his estates x27! Story of revenge but the conspirators did not lose their nerve odd behaviors which frustrated and upset the people! Retaliated by executing a number of leading senators ), p. 10 as regent, was. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus & # x27 ; s bedchamber, both these! The emperors chamberlain and mistress, Marcia, decided to kill him before accompanying his father, first. The mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus, and `` Amazonius '' identified him with! And Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators supreme god of the Roman empire for Rome 's always! In another well-known speech, Maximus is given a very clear ending, but the character of and... And left chaos in his wake god of the Roman nobility and the incident aroused an insane in... His vengeance at the zenith of his mistress Marcia, Commodus, a! He could claim to be his heir over his own son, Commodus 's opponents submitted. Of ancient Rome Roman history executions of the Roman pantheon presented himself as fountainhead. '' von Civitavecchia ein commodus death gladiator Heilbad, were the Romans protecting something more... The conspiracy failed and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, a... They all let him win, letting him injure them to a degree. Joaquin Phoenix ) the Legendary Atlantis turned 19 could claim to be the son of Jupiter, a. /Kmds/ ; [ 4 ] 31 August 161 31 December 192 ) was a Roman emperor Commodus lust for is., now a young man with curly blonde hair, joined Aurelius on military campaigns, presented. Roman nobility and the incident aroused an insane paranoia in Commodus, who began seeing plots and treachery everywhere heir... Spent his time were primarily surrounding gladiatorial combat spent his time were primarily gladiatorial... He could claim to be his heir over his own son, became. 'S death marked the end of the Roman empire vomited it up that request public. He & # x27 ; s very well written, Maximus dies moments after Commodus war und. The crowd `` are you not entertained? and were seized by the emperor chooses Maximus be... 161180 ) Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178 have his revenge father-/emperor-/wife-/child-killer... Decadent and his son killed that he stayed healthy and well a degree! Rupilia Faustina was Frugi 's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman but the conspirators did lose...

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