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. 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. In 182 A.D., Commodus sister Lucilla organized an attempt on her brothers life. [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. On 31 December 192 AD, Commodus's concubine[2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. 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. Later that year he adopted as his full style Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus Augustus Herculeus Romanus Exsuperatorius Amazonius Invictus Felix Pius (the order of some of these titles varies in the sources). The slave who became a gladiator. The climax came in the year 190, which had 25 suffect consuls a record in the 1,000-year history of the Roman consulshipall appointed by Cleander (they included the future Emperor Septimius Severus). Aurelius physician, Galen, was tasked with looking after Commodus to ensure that he stayed healthy and well. [17] He subsequently married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father to the Danubian front once more in 178. It was three years later that Verus died, leaving Commodus as the only surviving son. Watching him collapse and die after restoring his own freedom and ridding Rome of its Tyrant in Chief seems like, well, a downer. The conclusion of Gladiator sees Commodus killed by Maximus in the gladiators final fight, but what are the true details of the emperors death? Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. He also declared himself to be an incarnation of the god Hercules and forced the senate to recognize his divinity. 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. When Commodus ordered for the death of Maximus and his family, the Romans could not reject that request. On 20 January 175, Commodus entered the College of Pontiffs, the starting point of a career in public life. 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. ( Public Domain ). Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. Nevertheless, though the senatorial order came to hate and fear him, the evidence suggests that he remained popular with the army and the common people for much of his reign, not least because of his lavish shows of largesse (recorded on his coinage) and because he staged and took part in spectacular gladiatorial combats. However, the ending, while sad, is true to Maximus's goals. His reign is commonly thought of as marking the end of a golden period of peace in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana. Flamma. "Commodus' progeny will rule Rome!" "Back!" yelled the Praetorian guard. Maximus : You would fight me? Commodus' famous gesture, which he gives when deciding the fate of defeated gladiators Meanwhile, Commodus was lapsing into insanity. While fighting in the arena, opponents would submit to Commodus, as emperor, and their lives were spared. 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. 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.. Commodus, who is portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, was indeed the son of Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and an emperor of Rome. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Despite the unfair circumstances, Maximus is victorious, killing Commodus with the very blade the emperor had concealed. Commodus also had a passion for gladiatorial combat, which he took so far as to take to the arena himself, dressed as a secutor. 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She has earned Read More. Lucilla was exiled to Capri and later killed. Upon his death, the Senate declared him a public enemy (a de facto damnatio memoriae) and restored the original name of the city of Rome and its institutions. Far from celebrating his descent from Marcus Aurelius, the actual source of his power, he stressed his own personal uniqueness as the bringer of a new order, seeking to re-cast the empire in his own image. Gladiator is somewhat historically accurate in its final scenes, as Commodus did perform as a gladiator. 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. But he vomited the poisoned food up, foiling that plan. However, even these favorites were not safe from his fury. Omissions? This biographical article related to crime is a stub. It was reputed in local legend to be the seat of the god Wotan and to be haunted. Her motive is alleged to have been the envy of the Empress Crispina. One of these is Commodus' relationship with his sister Lucilla. Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson.The film was co-produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures.DreamWorks Pictures distributed the film in North America while Universal Pictures released it internationally through United International Pictures. The latter is what has made the movie timeless. 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. Crowe toldEmpire magazinein 2020 that originally, Maximus survived: Crowe said he used to joke that his character would "end up running a f****** pizzeria by the Colosseum." Gladiator is a film invested in the concept of retribution. Now, researchers have proposed a hypothesis that seems to support the idea that the Ivar the Boneless was likely the son of legendary Viking king Ragnar Lothbrok, and raided alongside his father and brothers, eventually becoming ruler of York in England in the 9th century AD. Commodus: The general who became a slave. Gracchus and Commodus stared evenly at eachother, with mutual hatred. The 2000 film, directed by Ridley Scott, is steeped in the culture of ancient Rome. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. Top Image: Bust of Commodus, 17th Emperor of the Roman Empire. "I won't be in here forever!" rasped Commodus. The consensus was that it was below his office to participate as a gladiator. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narcissus_(wrestler)&oldid=1135943613, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 20:46. The Romans were outraged when Commodus would order wounded soldiers and amputees into the arena to be slayed. Disdaining the more philosophic inclinations of his father, Commodus was extremely proud of his physical prowess. His great simplicity, however, together with his cowardice, made him the slave of his companions, and it was through them that he at first, out of ignorance, missed the better life and then was led on into lustful and cruel habits, which soon became second nature."[26]. Jack is a feature writer for Screen Rant. ( Public Domain ). His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within the empire. Upon his ascension, Commodus devalued the Roman currency. 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. [12][13][14] Commodus was the first (and until 337, the only) emperor "born in the purple," meaning during his father's reign. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves . Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Cookies help us deliver our Services. He also believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. Cassius Dio recorded one incident where, after becoming tired out, Commodus ordered a cup of chilled wine to him and drank it at one gulp. In an amusing anecdote, Dio continued, At this both the populace and we senators all immediately shouted out the words so familiar at drinking-bouts, Long life to you!'. [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. Corrections? 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. While the true story behind his reign and death are fascinating, I prefer the fictional story, where he is killed in the arena before thousands of subjects by a gladiator whose family was ordered killed by the emperor. Narration by: Alexander Dobby. . In the arena, Commodus's opponents always submitted to the emperor; as a result he never lost. Nowadays Commodus is best remembered as the villain of Ridley Scott's movie "Gladiator", a sneering and arrogant portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. 180-192 AD. After a failed assassination attempt in 182, however, his rule became erratic and brutal, and he imagined himself to be Hercules. 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. [44] Dio notes that the targeted senators actually found this more ridiculous than frightening, and chewed on laurel leaves to conceal their laughter. [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. However, he always spared their lives. The scene portrays the extent of Emperor Commodus malice and provides a realization of the vengeance sought by Maximus, following the crucifixion of his wife and child. The Untersberg is a great mountain straddling the Austro-German border opposite Salzburg. [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. Commodus never killed his gladiatorial adversaries, instead accepting their surrenders. In the contest, Maximus is a victim of foul play as Commodus preemptively wounds him, then later produces a blade. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Pescennius Niger mopped up the deserters in Gaul in a military campaign, and a revolt in Brittany was put down by two legions brought over from Britain. 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. In addition to Galens medical attention and treatment, Commodus was also highly educated, with little focus on military training. Cassius Dio declared that Commodus was not naturally wicked but that his cowardice, made him the slave of his companions.. A bust of Commodus as a youth. Moreover, as Hercules, he could claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. 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. Although he's very well written, Maximus is more of a plot device to allow the . 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. 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. Dying and going to Elysium is a more fitting reward for him than taking control of Rome. In the story of Gladiator, the Roman general Maximus is betrayed by the evil Emperor Commodus. Emperor Commodus lust for power is widely credited with bringing an end to the fabled Pax Romana. It appears that Aurelius was desperate to have a son of his own bloodline succeed him. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? An illustration of the murder of Commmodus. Unrest around the empire increased, with large numbers of army deserters causing trouble in Gaul and Germany. View GLADIATOR - CHW3M.docx from HIS CHW3M at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. One such notable event was the attempted extermination of the house of the Quinctilii. The Syrian-born gladiator, who rose to fame under the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117 to 138 A.D.), is best known for the length of his career, and for being awarded his freedom four times . Classic Villain: Commodus, representing Ambition and Envy. Ein Gladiator (lateinisch gladiator zu gladius fr . Maximus defeat of Commodus provides a dramatic conclusion to Gladiator, but the depiction of the malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate. From 180 to his death in 192, Commodus was the only emperor.. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. 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 blade and well the contest, Maximus is betrayed by the evil emperor lust... The malevolent emperors death is historically inaccurate married Bruttia Crispina before accompanying his father, 's... 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