THE BUST OF COMMODUS

WHO WAS COMMODUS…? Commodus was the son of Marcus Aurelius. Commodus was the son of Marcus Aurelius. a brutal emperor for 12 years (180 AD – 192 AD). a brutal emperor for 12 years (180 AD – 192 AD). he was assassinated (strangled) at the age of 31. he was assassinated (strangled) at the age of 31. an interesting character of questionable sanity. an interesting character of questionable sanity. Wheeler calls him a “sadistic pervert”. Wheeler calls him a “sadistic pervert”. he was a decadent, self-indulgent, deranged megalomaniac. he was a decadent, self-indulgent, deranged megalomaniac. had a fondness for gladiatorial games often taking part in the animal hunts (dressed as Hercules). had a fondness for gladiatorial games often taking part in the animal hunts (dressed as Hercules). his blatant self-heroization here in this piece is quite extraordinary. his blatant self-heroization here in this piece is quite extraordinary.

THE PIECE IN A NUTSHELL He wears a lion skin. He wears a lion skin. Commodus is shown with a beard and moustache. Commodus is shown with a beard and moustache. He holds a knotted club in his right hand. He holds a knotted club in his right hand. In his left hand he holds three apples. In his left hand he holds three apples. Two cornucopiae full of fruit hold up the bust. Two cornucopiae full of fruit hold up the bust. Between the cornucopiae is an Amazon shield which is decorated with Medusa’s head. Between the cornucopiae is an Amazon shield which is decorated with Medusa’s head. There is a sphere with a band across the middle of it with three Zodiac signs. It is it also has four rosettes. There is a sphere with a band across the middle of it with three Zodiac signs. It is it also has four rosettes. An Amazonian warrior kneels on either side of a sphere. An Amazonian warrior kneels on either side of a sphere.

Commodus saw himself as a bit of a Hercules… He was often portrayed on coins and in inscriptions as the hero. Hercules’ worship was popular in Rome. He was often portrayed on coins and in inscriptions as the hero. Hercules’ worship was popular in Rome. The comparison with Hercules in this bust is obvious: The club was a weapon of choice for the hero. The club was a weapon of choice for the hero. The apples allude to Hercules’ immortality which Commodus regarded as his due after subduing the enemies of Rome. The apples allude to Hercules’ immortality which Commodus regarded as his due after subduing the enemies of Rome. The lion skin represents power and strength. The lion skin represents power and strength. The Amazon warrior relates to the fact that Commodus had also defeated the Sarmatians who lived in the same are as the Amazonians had. The Amazon warrior relates to the fact that Commodus had also defeated the Sarmatians who lived in the same are as the Amazonians had.

Hercules’ labours represented here are… First labour First labour The killing of the Nemean lion from whose (impenetrable) skin he made a cloak. The killing of the Nemean lion from whose (impenetrable) skin he made a cloak.

Ninth labour Ninth labour Obtaining the girdle of the Amazon queen Hippolyta & the subsequent defeat of the Amazons. Obtaining the girdle of the Amazon queen Hippolyta & the subsequent defeat of the Amazons.

Eleventh labour Eleventh labour The theft of the golden apples from a tree at the world’s end, guarded by a dragon (Ladon) which he slew. The theft of the golden apples from a tree at the world’s end, guarded by a dragon (Ladon) which he slew.

BUT WAIT… WHAT ABOUT THE FEATURES OF THE SET PIECE

Hair- deeply drilled beard and hair creates shadows Hair- deeply drilled beard and hair creates shadows - rhythmical waves in hair, - full beard gives sense of imperial majesty, - contrast between deeply modelled hair and smooth texture of face. Eyes- are not painted but have rings incised into the iris, Eyes- are not painted but have rings incised into the iris, - heavy upper eye lids droop over the iris, - eyes are upturned and gaze to one side (our left). Mouth - short but full lower lip with a moustache above the lip, - the mouth is turned down. Mouth - short but full lower lip with a moustache above the lip, - the mouth is turned down.

WHAT STYLE IS THIS IN? Antonine Baroque style smooth highly polished skin which gives a youthful appearance, smooth highly polished skin which gives a youthful appearance, deeply drilled luxurious hair, deeply drilled luxurious hair, contrasts of light & dark areas, powerful musculature & polished head. contrasts of light & dark areas, powerful musculature & polished head. Commodus was the last of the Antonine's. Commodus was the last of the Antonine's. WHAT STYLE IS THIS IN?

SO WHAT IS COMMODUS TRYING TO SAY ? The larger than life bust conveys the message that Commodus is: The larger than life bust conveys the message that Commodus is: a) the saviour of mankind, b) worthy of portrayal as Hercules, c) a heroic/divine figure, d) a doer of great deeds.

So there you are. But the questions remains: was he mad as a hatter or just a looney…?