Commodus (AD 161 to 192) was the son of Marcus Aurelius, the great philosopher-emperor. His father gave Rome wisdom, reflection, and a sense of stability. Commodus gave them… himself, dressed as Hercules, hitting wild animals with a club. He ruled from 180 until his assassination in 192, and his reign is remembered as the point when Rome started rolling downhill.
Early Life and Rise
- Born in 161, twin to Antoninus who died in childhood.
- Crowned co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius in 177.
- Became sole ruler in 180 after his father died on campaign along the Danube.
People hoped he would be like his father. Within a few years, they realised he was nothing of the sort. His policies and antics quickly turned Rome’s elite against him.
Gladiator Obsession
Commodus is the only emperor who climbed into the arena for real gladiatorial bouts. He strutted into the Colosseum as if Rome needed its emperor to play action hero.
He dressed up as Hercules, killed animals with bow or spear, and even played the part of different gladiators like the retiarius with trident and net. All of it was rigged, of course. Commodus was never going to risk dying like an actual fighter.
The people loved the spectacle. The Senate wanted to crawl under their seats with embarrassment. Watching their emperor act like a common brawler was not their idea of dignified leadership.
Weapons of Commodus
| Weapon | Description | Purpose in Arena |
|---|---|---|
| Gladius | Standard Roman short sword | Used in staged duels as a secutor |
| Trident and Net | Arms of the retiarius gladiator | Showed off versatility and flair |
| Club | Symbol of Hercules | Reinforced his self-styled divinity |
| Bow and Arrows | Missile weapon | Used for dramatic animal hunts |
| Spear | Traditional Roman weapon | Employed against beasts in staged shows |
These weapons were not about survival or war. They were props for his ego.
Historical Legacy
- Governance: He left actual ruling to corrupt favourites while he played hero.
- Self-Image: Renamed Rome itself “Colonia Commodiana” and declared he was a god. Subtlety was not his strength.
- Death: Strangled in 192 in a conspiracy involving his mistress Marcia and his own Praetorian Guard.
- Aftermath: Rome plunged straight into the chaos of the Year of the Five Emperors.
Ancient historians branded him as reckless, vain, and cruel. Modern scholars debate whether he was quite as bad as written, but when your PR problem lasts 1,800 years, you probably earned it.
Commodus in Popular Culture
- Gladiator (2000): Joaquin Phoenix delivered a wonderfully slimy take on Commodus, cementing him as a pop culture villain. Historically inaccurate in places, but it captured the essence of his reputation.
- Other portrayals: Plays, TV, and novels stick to the same formula: Marcus Aurelius the wise, Commodus the fool. No prizes for guessing who gets the better write-up.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Commodus is remembered less as an emperor and more as Rome’s most expensive entertainer. He fancied himself Hercules reborn, but he ruled like a man obsessed with applause rather than administration. Rome did not get a leader; it got a performer with delusions of grandeur. The empire survived him, but his reign was the start of a slow and messy decline.ing a legacy of decline at the heart of the empire.
