Commodus

The son of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus abandoned his father's frontier wars and devoted himself to the arena, performing as a gladiator and identifying himself with Hercules. His erratic rule and megalomania led to his assassination on New Year's Eve 192 AD, plunging the empire into civil war.

Commodus's reign marks the end of the Pax Romana and the beginning of the empire's long decline. His murder triggered the Year of the Five Emperors and the rise of the Severan dynasty, ending the era of adoptive succession that had produced Rome's most capable rulers.

Key Events

180 AD Made peace with the Germanic tribes and returned to Rome, ending the Danube wars

182 AD Survived an assassination attempt by his sister Lucilla's conspirators

190 AD Renamed Rome 'Colonia Commodiana' and the months of the year after his titles

191 AD Appeared publicly as a gladiator, identifying himself as Hercules Romanus

192 AD Strangled by his wrestling partner Narcissus on the last day of the year

Coinage

Commodus's coinage reflects his increasing megalomania, with later types depicting him as Hercules with lionskin and club. The early issues are conventional, but the later portrait types showing the Herculean attributes are among the most distinctive in the Roman series.

Denominations

Aureus Denarius Sestertius Dupondius As

Notable Types

Hercules types with lionskin and club
Gladiatorial types
LIB AVG types celebrating his liberalitas

Common Reverses

HERC ROM CONDITORI HERCVLI ROMANO AVG PM TR P XVI COS VI NOBILITAS AVG PROVIDENTIAE AVG LIB AVG

Active Mints

Rome

Key Events

Coinage

Further Reading