Happy Birthday Commodus!

• Commodus was born on August 31, 161 AD, coincidentally sharing a birthdate with Caligula.
• He was the son of Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome’s “Five Good Emperors,” and the first emperor “born in the purple” (while his father was emperor).
• Commodus became co-emperor with his father at the age of 16 and sole emperor at 18 when Marcus Aurelius died.
• He was obsessed with gladiatorial combat and often participated in the arena himself, fighting against disabled opponents or wild animals.
• Commodus renamed Rome “Colonia Commodiana” (Colony of Commodus) and tried to rename all twelve months after himself.
• He identified himself with the demigod Hercules and often appeared in public dressed as the mythical hero.
• Commodus was known for his extravagance and narcissism, commissioning numerous statues of himself throughout Rome.
• He survived multiple assassination attempts, including one orchestrated by his older sister Lucilla.
• His reign is often considered the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire.
• Commodus was ultimately assassinated on New Year’s Eve 192 AD, strangled in his bath by his wrestling partner Narcissus.
• Commodus is portrayed as the antagonist in the 2000 film “Gladiator,” although the movie takes significant liberties with historical accuracy for dramatic effect.