Commodus was a terrible ruler by virtually any standard. 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.
Why was Commodus not a good emperor?
Commodus lavished gold upon the people and the army and kept them distracted. To pay for his generosity, he taxed the rich heavily and, as a result, grew to be hated by them as a betrayer of his own senatorial class. In the second year of his reign, his sister, Lucilla, led a conspiracy to execute him.
What was Commodus best known for?
He became sole Emperor of the Roman Empire in 180 CE upon his father’s death. He is most famous for his love of the Gladiatorial Arena, even participating in it himself. Though Commodus now, in popular culture, is known as a cruel, erratic, and lecherous ruler he wasn’t a bad emperor in every respect.
Was Commodus a good gladiator?
Physically, he could very much have been a good gladiator, even an exceptional one. But he was too much of a coward to have ever let it happen. Many modern sportsmen will talk about the mental side of their sport. Commodus is a perfect example of this.
Who were the nicest Roman emperors?
The Five Good Emperors The “five good emperors,” as they are commonly referred to, were Nerva, Trajan, and Hadrian (who were related to one another only by adoption), and the two Antonines, Antoninus Pius and ever beloved, Marcus Aurelius.
What was Commodus poisoned with?
Successive portraits on Roman coins show Commodus degenerating from an affable adolescent to a deranged and dissipated adult. When his mistress, Marcia, discovered her own name on his list of those to be executed, she handed Commodus a cup of poisoned wine. The wine drugged him and made him sick but did not kill him.
How did the real Commodus die?
The emperor was strangled in his bath by Narcissus, a wrestler who was tasked with the deed by a small group of conspirators: the Praetorian Prefect, Aemilius Laetus; Commodus’ chamberlain, Eclectus; and Commodus’ mistress, Marcia.
What happened to Commodus in the end?
On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus’ food, but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath.
Does Commodus die as a gladiator?
Gladiator is somewhat accurate in its final scenes, as historically Commodus did perform as a gladiator. His death, however, was the result of an assassination plot in 192, culminating with Narcissus killing him in the bath.
Who were the 5 emperors after Commodus?
With him died the Antonine dynasty. After his death, Publius Helvius Pertinax, the city prefect, became emperor but the transition was not smooth, and the Empire quickly slipped into a civil war which persisted until Septimius Severus succeeded in eliminating his rivals and attaining the throne.
Who ruled first Commodus or Caesar?
After the death of Commodus, Pertinax became emperor. He was an elderly senator who was chosen by the senate as emperor. However, his reign was short-lived because of the resentment he created through his reforms.
Who was the most loved Roman emperor?
Cruel and tyrannical Emperor Caligula ruled Ancient Rome through fear and terror. Rampaging through Rome committing murder, adultery and acts of debauchery, his reign came to an abrupt end when he was brutally assassinated after only four years.
Who were the most notorious emperor’s?
Didius Julianus, who purchased the title from the Praetorian Guard, succeeded Pertinax, but was ousted by Septimius Severus and executed on June 1. Severus was declared Caesar by the Senate, but Pescennius Niger was hostile when he declared himself emperor.
More Answers On Was Commodus A Good Emperor
Was Commodus a good emperor? – historyten.com
May 23, 2022Commodus’s legacy clearly stated he was not a good emperor for Rome. Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, also known as Commodus, was a Roman emperor vilified as one of the bloody tyrants. He was born to emperor Marcus Aurelius on August 31, 161 C.E, in Italy, previously known as Lanuvium.
Commodus – Wikipedia
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. On 27 November 176, Marcus Aurelius proclaimed Commodus as joint-emperor. [12]
Commodus | Biography, Facts, Sister, & Death | Britannica
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).
Is commodus a good emperor? – adows.starbirdmusic.com
Commodus was a terrible ruler by virtually any standard. 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. Why was Emperor Commodus so bad? Commodus lavished gold upon the people and the army and kept them distracted.
How good of a fighter was the Roman Emperor Commodus? – Quora
Answer (1 of 3): A paranoid megalomaniac who played gladiator and thought he was a god, Commodus was even more outrageous than Hollywood could ever depict. The activities which held Commodus’ attention were in the nature of gladiatorial combat. He would take to the arena and engage in combat whi…
Was Commodus a Good Gladiator? – History of Yesterday
Mar 10, 2021Commodus is a perfect example of this. He didn’t have the mentality to take advantage of the obscene privilege he had over his competition. It would eventually be this unsportsmanlike (to put it mildly) behaviour and wimpish attitude on the arena that would lead to him being strangled by his wrestling partner Narcissus.
The True History of Commodus, the Mad Emperor of Ancient Rome
Nov 30, 2021Commodus was crowned emperor at 19, when Marcus Aurelius died, probably from the plague. Unlike his father, who fought tirelessly against the Germanic tribes, Commodus immediately struck peace accords and made a beeline for Rome, says Cassius Dio, “for he hated all exertion and craved the comfortable life of the city.”
What if the Roman Emperor, Commodus, was as good as Emperor Augustus?
Commodus was an incompetent and cruel ruler, who happened to follow a string of very good rulers (Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Commodus’ father Marcus Aurelius). These men all had one thing in common – none of them inherited the throne by basis of birth.
Was Commodus a good choice for emperor? – Answers
happy he was a good emperor What years did commodus serve as emperor? Commodus was emperor from 180 to 192. Why was Emperor Commodus assassinated? Commodus was hated. He was he worse Roman emperor…
Biography of Commodus, Roman Emperor (180-192) – ThoughtCo
Lucius Aurelius Commodus was born on August 31, 161 in Lanuvium, the ancient city of Latium. He was the son of the last of the “Good Emperors,” the philosopher Marcus Aurelius (121-180, ruled 161-180) and his wife Annia Galeria Faustina. He was one of eight brothers, including a twin, and the only one to survive past his youth.
Emperor Commodus: Was He Really So Terrible? – Classical Wisdom Weekly
Marcus Aurelius is widely seen as one of the greatest of all Emperors’ and was also a renowned Stoic philosopher. Commodus was the only legitimate male child of the Emperor that survived into adulthood. When he was just five years old, Commodus was given the title of Caesar and this designated him as the heir of Marcus Aurelius.
Commodus – Realonomics
History of Commodus. Commodus was Roman emperor from 180 to 192 CE. With the death of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in March of 180 CE, the long reign of the five good emperors came to an end and with it so did the Pax Romana (the Roman Peace).
Commodus: The Outrageous Emperor Who Fought as a Gladiator
Nov 27, 2021Commodus: The Outrageous Emperor Who Fought as a Gladiator Read Later Print Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well-received by the Roman people during his reign. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator.
Commodus: Bad Heir to the Last ’Good Emperor’ of Rome
Commodus was Roman emperor from 180 to 192 CE. With the death of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in March of 180 CE, the long reign of the five good emperors came to an end and with it so did the Pax Romana (the Roman Peace). Those emperors who followed for the next century would witness a time of both chaos and decline.
Commodus — The Handsome, Athletic, and Unstable Roman Emperor Who …
Mar 26, 2022Commodus was the only surviving son of philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180). Aurelius’ personal diaries titled The Meditations are a source of inspiration even today, almost 2,000 years later. Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. He was an excellent ruler who saved Rome from invading Marcomanni.
18 Reasons Why Commodus Was Rome’s Known Depraved Emperor
But still, we know enough to conclude that Commodus was a bad Emperor – and a bad guy, full stop. So, from using hunchbacks as serving plates, fighting dwarfs and killing sisters and wives, here are 18 reasons why Commodus can reasonably be called the worst Roman ruler of them all:
Commodus: The True Story Of The Mad Emperor From ’Gladiator’
The “Five Good Emperors,” ruled efficiently and under them the Roman people enjoyed “a rational freedom.” However, just when the days of the mad emperors seemed long gone, Commodus brought the madness roaring back. Commmodus Takes The Throne
Top 10 Breathtaking Facts about Commodus – HistoryTen
Jun 11, 2021Emperor Commodus belonged to the category of Worst Roman Emperors who were on the side of destroying the Empire due to their inhuman nature. Like, Emperors Caligula, Nero, Domitian, … Marcus Aurelius was among the five good emperors, including Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antonius Pius. He was the only emperor who had a legitimate biological …
10 Insane Facts About Emperor Commodus Left out of “Gladiator”
Commodus actually lowered the amount of gold and silver in Roman coins, which made each coin lighter and literally less valuable. He wasn’t the first person to do this (Nero had started it), but Commodus devalued Roman coins by more than any emperor since then. Even in his lifetime, it crippled the country.
What was the impact of Commodus on Rome – DailyHistory.org
Sep 17, 2021Commodus was born on August 31, 161 AD. His father was Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was revered by his subjects and was also a great philosopher. The young Commodus received an excellent education based on Stoic principles and, from an early age, accompanied his father on his campaigns in the Marcomannic War.
18 Reasons Why Commodus Was Rome’s Known Depraved Emperor
He might have had all the power in the world, but as Emperor, Commodus was regularly bored and distracted and didn’t want to rule Unlike his predecessors, including Hadrian, Trajan and Marcus Aurelius himself, Commodus had no interest in government. In fact, he left most affairs of the Empire to his closest officials.
was commodus a good emperor – Layman Electric
Dec 2, 2021Commodus, Emperor of Rome. Aurelius, whose reign spanned from 161 CE to 180 CE, has often been listed among the Good Roman Emperors. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father’s death in 180. In 177 AD, Marcus appointed Commodus his co-emperor. Rome is enjoying a period of stability and prosperity.
Who Was Commodus? – Facts, Quotes & Accomplishments – Study.com
Apr 12, 2022Commodus was born in Lanuvium, an ancient city 20 miles southeast of Rome, in the year 161 CE. He is the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, known as the Philosopher King, and his cousin Faustina the …
Commodus | Unbiased History Wiki | Fandom
Commodus (161-192) was the son of Marcus Aurelius. He succeeded his father as Augustus after he killed him. He is often regarded as one of the Roman Empire’s worst emperors since he brought Rome to decadence, leading to the Crisis of Third Century. Commodus was one of a set of twins that Faustina gave birth to, being the one to survive. Just as Marcus Aurelius was ready to revise his …
The ’Five Good Emperors’ | The Roman Empire
What really started the rot was that alone of the ’five good emperors’, Marcus Aurelius had a son whom he had nominated as his successor. … 177 Marcus Aurelius makes Commodus co-emperor; 180 Death of Marcus Aurelius. Accession of Commodus. Commodus makes peace with the Sarmatians and returns to Rome. 183 Plot to kill Commodus discovered …
Commodus and the Five Good Emperors: History and Allegory Paperback …
Biographical sketches of the “five good” Roman emperors: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, as well as the “bad emperor” Commodus. These short biographies are followed by an allegorical exercise in the form of imaginary letters from emperor to emperor that reveal a progression in their characters that parallels the …
Commodus: An Emperor at the Crossroads – Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Oliver Hekster (hereafter ’H.’) has published the first biographical study of the emperor Commodus in English (Traupman’s PhD thesis of 1956 was not published) … Dracontius, Jordanes, and Malalas) testifies ’to a tradition in which Commodus was perceived as a good emperor’ (p. 185). His discussion of early Severan adoption of …
Who Were the Five Good Emperors of Rome? – History in Charts
Jun 3, 2021The Five Good Emperors refer to the first five rulers of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. These rulers were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. The last ruler of this dynasty, Commodus, is often considered to be the beginning of the empire’s long decline. During the reigns of the Five Good Emperors the Roman Empire was at …
Was Commodus a Good Gladiator? – History of Yesterday
The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators, painting by Edward Howland Blashfield (1848-1936), currently on display at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, Virginia. SourceL Wikimedia Commons. Commodus was a strong man, he was tall, spent time amongst the soldiers, and as we’ve seen very into sports.
Was Commodus a good choice for emperor? – Answers
No Commodus was not a good choice. He was not a good administrator. He was more into having statues made of himself than being a good ruler.
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