Commodus - A More Historically Accurate View

by Paul Landsberg

Along with countless other moviegoers, I too have seen "Gladiator" I enjoyed it for the action, the scenery, and the acting. The fact that the level of historical accuracy was minimal to non-existent didn't faze me. So, to have the last word on Hollywood, here is a brief synopsis of Commodus.

Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior had thirteen children. One male, Lucius Aurelius Commodus, survived to adulthood. Unfortunately Commodus was truly not fit to be emperor and even so Marcus Aurelius did not adopt a successor, just as he had been adopted, who could assume the immense responsibility of running the Roman empire.

In the movie Commodus confronted his sister Lucilla's plot and historically both Lucilla and Crispina (his wife) were involved in plots against him. Both were banished and eventually executed.

As for Rome, it suffered from famine, plague, and fire. In the midst of all this Commodus' megalomania led him to further outrageous behavior. Viewing himself as a direct descendant, maybe even the reincarnation of Hercules, he fought wild beasts in the Coliseum.

Commodus reigned as Augustus from 177 AD to 192 AD and so the number of coins he issued was extensive. Silver denarii in Fine condition can be found for approximately $25 and bronze coins can also be found rather easily at a slightly higher price. Interestingly, his portraits on the coins range from that of him as a teenage boy to a fully bearded man. As part of his Hercules fixation, he had a handful of coins issued that focus on this theme.

Commodus was assassinated by members of his own court on the very last day of 192 AD. The power vacuum in Rome was filled by Pertinax promising 12,000 bronze sestertii to every man in the Praetorian Guard. The Imperial Purple had just been bought although Pertinax only enjoyed his position for less than 3 months until angry guardsmen dumped his severed head into the streets.

ã Copyright Raleigh Coin Club   -  2000, 2001, 2002

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