Commodus “The Roman Hercules” By: Sophia Bowles

After 80 years of chosen emperors, Commodus was the first emperor to have inherited the position from his father (Marcus Aurellius). Out of fourteen children, Commodus was the only male to survive infancy. When he was just five years old he was given the title ‘Caesar’. At the age of ten he assumed his father’s title ‘Germanicus’. Five years later he shared Marcus’s triumph at Rome. And the following year, Commodus earned the position as joint ruler.

Marcus died while in battle. Commodus made the decision to break off hostilities and return to Rome instead of continuing the war as his father had hoped. Commodus proved that following the rule of Marcus Aurelius’ was difficult; he failed to measure up to his father’s high standards and developed a bad reputation as he thought of himself as a god. His personality and passions shone through his decisions. Commodus’s hands off approach to imperial government spurred intrigue, conspiracy, and attempts at taking his life. The first attempt was plotted by his older sister Lucilla. Commodus also chose to make Perennis joint commander with Paternus. After Paternus’s execution, Perennis gained overall control. Commodus was fearful of his life and hid himself from public appearances. He then abandoned himself to a life of luxury with 300 concubines and 300 boys… Among his moral corruption, he gained a reputation for depravity. Commodus ordered an execution of Perennis and his sons when a plot to substitute Commodus’s position of emperor was plotted. Cleander then took his position. After a second attempt on his life plotted this time by Cleander, Commodus returned to solitude among stronger guards. Eventually Commodus ordered an execution on Cleander as well.

At this point, Commodus began to show signs of megalomania. He demanded to be known as a living god and as Hercules. A serious fire invaded Rome in the year 191, Commodus took it upon himself in his rebuilding to refer to himself as the second founder of Rome calling it ‘Colonia Commodiana’. Commodus had a reputation of being insecure, morally corrupt, and self centered.

“My father has gone up to heaven and now sits as a companion of the gods. We must concern ourselves with human affairs and govern the world.” “The final years of the reign also saw Commodus increasingly insecure and vengeful towards the senators.” Commodus shocked the Roman people when he lowered himself to take part in the amphitheatre games and commanded their attendance. Due to his insecurities and fears, Commodus left himself the reputation of being an eccentric emperor full of arrogance.