He considers this a way for the unmartial commodus to display his valor to the roman people. Especially commodus behaviour as a gladiator, and the way he represented himself with divine attributes. Born lucius aurelius commodus, he is known as a ruler who designed a major turning point in roman history. Perennis exercised an outsized influence over commodus and was the effective ruler of the roman empire. The romans were struck with awe both by the manifestation of the goddess and by the piety of the maiden. The day commodus killed a rhino credibly presents commodus as a flawed but complex emperor faced with major challenges. Toners wry comments and personal observations make this. Commodus, roman emperor from 177 to 192 sole emperor after 180. Jerry toners excellent new book provides the historical context for ridley scotts emperorgladiator. Roman history, volume vii dio cassius harvard university. In 180, reversing his fathers foreign policy, he concluded peace with the german and the sarmatian tribes and returned to his licentious pleasures in rome.
Commodus was born on august 31, 161 ad in lanuvium, 14 miles southeast of rome. Scrappy young freedwoman marcia grows up in the shadows of the palace, becoming friend and confidante to the golden, haunted imperial heir commodus, but even marcias love cannot keep the princes ghosts at bay once he. Arms and armour of the imperial roman soldier books. He was killed by apollo during the battle of san francisco bay when he was greatly injured in an explosion. Please help us cover our server costs for this year. His reign is commonly considered to mark the end of the golden period in the history of the roman empire known as the pax romana. It provides a first person account of one of the most politically diverse times of the roman empire. Joaquin phoenix even played a fictionalized version of commodus in the movie gladiator. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by zonaras, who relies closely on dio, and for some later gaps book 35 onwards by. In roman times, devaluing currency was a much more literal process than it is today. A contemporary of commodus, he has a good account of what happened.
This book, the first of three volumes, examines the period from marius to commodus. There dont seem to be any details of the terms with which commodus agreed to peace with the marcomanni it seems more important to the greek historians who give us factual accounts as opposed to the roman author of the historia augusta to empha. The first in the series, caligula was a fabulous and intelligent read that really made you think about the political intrigues of ancient rome. He has been portrayed in many popular movies and tv series. Gibbons decline and fall of the roman empire chapter 4 part 1 posted on march 6, 2010 january 4, 20 by admin if you want to be an emperor, the easiest way is to be born into it. Commodus was succeeded by pertinax, whose reign was short lived, being the first to fall victim to the year of the five emperors. In 172 ad, during the marcomannic war, commodus was given the victory title germanicus. 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. Marcus aurelius died in 180 ce, leaving his narcissistic and selfindulgent son as the sole emperor of rome. Jan 01, 2002 the emperor commodus ad 180192 has commonly been portrayed as an insane madman, whose reign marked the beginning of the end of the roman empire.
Emperor commodus 161 192 ad was one of the most despicable rulers in romes long and violent history. The day commodus killed a rhino witness to ancient history and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Commodus is synonymous with debauchery and megalomania, best remembered for fighting as a gladiator. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, family, rule, life history, achievements, death etc. The roman emperor commodus the day commodus killed a rhino johns hopkins university press books. 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. It was rather text book like with the writing which i usually enjoy but not in. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by zonaras, who relies closely. He loved the games, slaughtering innumerable animals and massacring many people for pleasure. The first of these inept emperors was commodus, the son of marcus aurelius.
Little of his roman history survives, but missing portions are partly supplied from elsewhere and there are many excerpts. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by zonaras, who relies. Little of his roman history survives, but missing portions are partly supplied. Herodian of antioch, history of the roman empire 1961 pp.
Of the eighty books of dios great work roman history, covering the era from the legendary landing of aeneas in italy to the reign of alexander severus 222235 ce, we possess books 3660 36 and 5560 have gaps, which cover the years 68 bce to 47 ce. Dios work is a vital source for the last years of the roman republic and the first four roman emperors. The day commodus killed a rhino johns hopkins university. Unfortunately, he only have the epitomes and not full lengths of his text, but a good primary source. Jun 12, 2005 commodus as emperor, he proved to be everything his father was not, maiking many enemies amongst the people and especially the senate. Dio cassius, roman administrator and historian, the author of romaika, a history of rome, written in greek, that is a most important authority for the last years of the republic and the early empire. He was a triumvirate holdings leader alongside nero and caligula. This engaging, nonjudgmental description of the roman games seamlessly integrates sophisticated insights with clear examples and evidence. Commodus was a roman emperor during the early years of the first millennium. A fascinating, detailed and dramatic story of one of romes most notorious emperors sunday express commodus is a brilliant, thrilling novel about one of romes most intriguing and notorious emperors, for fans of simon scarrow, conn iggulden, christian cameron, ben kane and harry sidebottom. At the peak of the empire in the first and second centuries ad, ancient rome covered 6. Unfortunately such high concepts need to be matched by a comparable amount of flair and toner is unable to sustain it throughout. Pertinax was roman emperor for three months in 193 ce and, as successor to commodus, it was hoped that he would restore much needed sobriety to the office of emperor.
On december 31 ad 192, narcissus strangled the 31 year old commodus in his bath thus bringing an end to the rule of the antonines and closing a definitive chapter in roman history. He was the son of the reigning emperor, marcus aurelius, and aureliuss first cousin, faustina the younger, the youngest daughter of emperor antoninus pius, who had died only a few months before. Sep 17, 2009 graham sumner has written and illustrated a number of books and articles on the roman army and has illustrated other books on roman history including tim stricklands roman chester and roman middlewich and roman britain by plantagenet somerset fry. In 185, perennis was implicated in a plot to overthrow the emperor by his political rival, marcus aurelius cleander, and executed on the orders of commodus. Cassius dios roman history book 73 herodians history of the roman empire book 1 clodius albinus. Commodus actually lowered the amount of gold and silver in roman coins, which made each coin lighter and literally less valuable. Commodus is a brilliant, thrilling novel about one of romes most intriguing and. Commodus was a greater curse to the romans than any pestilence or any crime and the city had descended into bankruptcy and chaos. Discover the best ancient roman history in best sellers. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. The son of cassius apronianus, governor of dalmatia and cilicia under marcus aurelius, and grandson. Commodus was the first emperor born to the purple, that is, born during his fathers reign. Commodus simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Unfortunately,i just wish it had been a bit more focused on commodus himself as the title suggests. Herodian, history of the roman empire since the death of marcus aurelius. Jul 09, 2019 commodus is the second book in turneys the damned emperors series, which takes a look at some of the most tragic, infamous and selfdestructive rulers of ancient rome. Commodus born lucius aurelius commodus in 161 ad was a roman emperor and a current godemperor. Those emperors who followed for the next century would witness a time of both chaos and decline. And most of all, they could be the worst perverts the world has ever seen at least according. He published 80 volumes of history on ancient rome, beginning with the. Commodus was born on 31 august ad 161 in lanuvium, near rome. The missing portions are partly supplied, for the earlier gaps by zonaras, who relies closely on dio, and for some later gaps book 35 onwards by john. The 11 most sexually depraved things the roman emperors. Contemporary roman writer cassius dio describes the young heir as rather simpleminded, but he ruled agreeably with his father and joined marcus aurelius in the marcomannic wars against the germanic tribes along the danube, which the emperor had been. A small group of conspirators, including the emperors chamberlain and mistress, marcia, decided to kill him. Jul 05, 2019 commodus was guilty of many unseemly deeds, and killed a great many people.
He succeeded commodus to become the first emperor during the tumultuous year of the five emperors. The emperor commodus ad 180192 has commonly been portrayed as an insane madman, whose reign marked the beginning of the end of the roman empire. Commodus reportedly killed hundreds of animals in the coliseum, slaughtering hundreds of lions and even the occasional giraffe, however, commodus showed why he was put in charge when he invented a special arrow just to kill ostrich. His father was roman emperor marcus aurelius, and his.
We are a nonprofit organization and we would rather spend the money on our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Commodus s death marked the end of the nervanantonian dynasty, and the beginning of the end for the western roman empire. Mar 17, 2020 commodus was appointed as a coruler by his father, emperor marcus aurelius, in 177 ce. Because caligula couldnt be the only one to have all the fun, commodus also thought himself to be a god. I thought this was highly detailed and very informative. After his reign of terror, the emperors became the absolute rulers of the roman world, following his example. With a huge wealth of plates and illustrations, which include ancient paintings, mosaics, sculptures and coin depictions, this book gives the reader an unparalleled visual record of this fascinating period of military history. This book is a historical fiction novel about the emperor commodus. Aug 29, 20 commodus was roman emperor from 180 to 192 ce. Aug 29, 20 but its what commodus did to animals that propelled him into history books.
Herodians roman history is a collection of eight books covering the period from the death of marcus aurelius in 180 a. Of the eighty books of dios great work roman history, covering the era from the legendary landing of aeneas in italy to the reign of alexander severus 222 235 ce, we possess books 36 60 36 and 55 60 have gaps, which cover the years 68 bce 47 ce. Rufinus was an orator and a lawyer, a master of civil administration and agenda. Commodus squandered the wealth of rome, he was a curse upon the roman empire and dio cassius called commodus a greater curse than any pestilence, and guilty of unseemly deeds. However, the former teacher, as well as putting in order the affairs of state, also embarked on a series of state spending cuts which led to his general unpopularity and eventual downfall at the hands of the. His brutal misrule precipitated civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity within the empire. It was because of him that the eastern empirebyzantiumbecame a bureaucracy for a thousand years. Commodus by simon turney is the second in his the damned emperors series, exploring the lives of those emperors even rome wanted to erase from history. Greek historian, author of a history of the roman empire since the death of marcus aurelius in which he describes the reign of commodus 180192, the year of the five emperors 193, the age of the severan dynasty 211235, and the year of the six emperors 238. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Of the eighty books of dios great work roman history, covering the era from the legendary landing of aeneas in italy to the reign of alexander severus 222235 ce, we possess books 3660 36 and 5560 have gaps, which cover the years 68 bce 47 ce. It was only the third time in roman history that a ruler had been succeeded by his biological son, at least since the days of the last king tarquin the proud link. He is best known to history as the assassin of the roman emperor commodus, by whom he was employed as a wrestling partner and personal trainer in order to train commodus for his selfindulgent appearances in the colosseum as a.
Speidel, in commodus the godemperor and the army, on the tittianus altar in duraeuropos, the journal of roman studies vol. Sextus tigidius perennis died 185 served as praetorian prefect under the roman emperor commodus. Of the eighty books of dios great work roman history, covering the era from the. He was also known for imagining that he was the god hercules, entering the arena to fight as a gladiator or to kill lions with bow and arrow. Commodus born lucius aurelius commodus and died lucius aelius aurelius commodus, was. Even in this video there wasnt enough time to recount all of his victims.
When i say, this is my favorite book on ancient rome, just know that its my second favorite book of all time, barely being squeaked out by postw. Mar, 2020 commodus was a bloody tyrant and his reign was also a disaster and contributed to the decline of the greatest classical empire. Aurelius constantly gives his son lectures on duty and morality, he was as stern and powerful as zeus. Simon turneys commodus combines thrilling roman spectacle, starcrossed young lovers, and poisonous palace intrigue into a compulsively readable drama. Narcissus was a roman athlete, likely a wrestler, from the 2nd century ad. He wasnt the first person to do this nero had started it, but commodus devalued roman coins by more than any emperor since then. Day commodus killed a rhino witness to ancient history. Roman history, volume iii dio cassius harvard university press. Jan 05, 2015 in ancient times, the roman gamesthat heady cocktail of mass slaughter, gladiatorial combat, and chariot racingmade strong political, social, and cultural statements. Cassius dios roman history book 73 herodians history of the roman empire.
Top 10 famous people in ancient rome ancienthistorylists. Story of commodus and his reign of blood over the roman empire 1883. He was assassinated by strangulation in his bath on december 31st in the year 192. Indeed, the main point of criticism on his father, marcus aurelius, is that he appointed his son as his successor. He also ruled as coemperor with his father marcus aurelius from 177 until his fathers death in 180. Readers will be amazed at the scale, sights, and wonders of the spectacles. Commodus the outrageous emperor who fought as a gladiator. The twelve caesars by suetonius gives the inside story on some of romes greatest emperors i thought that if i was going to choose five books on roman history i really had to choose a roman historian because, for modern historians, roman historians have always been the great model. After commodus rule of nearly years, along with 125 years of largely stable rule since the death of nero, and in spite of the efforts of the conspirators to. In rick riordans book series the trials of apollo, commodus appears as one of the main antagonists. Most importantly of all, commodus weakened the economy of rome, with his lavish spending. On the death of his father roman governor of cilicia he went in 180 to rome, entered the senate, and under the emperor commodus was an advocate. Ridiculed and maligned by historians since his own time, modern popular culture knows him as the patricidal villain in ridley scotts gladiator.
In ancient times, the roman gamesthat heady cocktail of mass slaughter, gladiatorial combat, and chariot racingmade strong political, social, and cultural statements. I felt lots of it pertained to the various people in the senate and commodus s father more then him so slightly disappointed but overall i was happy with the book. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since titus succeeded vespasian in 79. Commodus was appointed as a coruler, at the age of 16, after fighting alongside his father and emperor, marcus aurelius, during the marcomannic wars. After presenting an exciting tale of insanity and vengeance in caligula, turney now takes a look at one of the most intriguing emperors in roman history, commodus. The plot to assassinate him was orchestrated by prefect laetus, who initially convinced his mistress marcia to put poison into his food, but commodus vomited thi. Commodus, 180192 ce americas military entertainment brand. He was also known for imagining that he was the god hercules, entering the arena. Apr 09, 2019 there was a time when the roman empire boasted the most extensive political and social structure in the history of ancient western civilization. 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. To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the. His father was roman emperor marcus aurelius, and his mother was faustina the younger. Commodus lucius aurelius commodus was a roman emperor during the early years of the first millennium. Martial virtue was an important requirement of an emperor so commodus needed to demonstrate it in some way.
He published 80 volumes of history on ancient rome, beginning with the arrival of aeneas in italy. He was made the youngest consul in roman history in 177 and later that year elevated to coemperor with his father. Commodus behaved with a lack of restraint unusual even for an emperor. Greek historian, author of a history of the roman empire since the death of marcus aurelius in which he describes the reign of commodus 180192, the year of the five emperors 193, the age of the severan dynasty. After escaping maternus plot, commodus strengthened his personal bodyguard. Genesis, the blog series about the research that went into our latest historical fantasy release set in the world of ancient rome. Cassius dio, the roman history salvete, history lovers. This is a very good book it brings to life the real commodus and hope his reign i have seen the film gladiator and this is a different side of his story wellwritten and rehearsed it would interest anyone who likes ancient roman history. Commodus was born in 161 ad near rome, the son of marcus aurelius, the wise ruling emperor.