Moai statues of Easter Island:

• Myth buster: The Moai aren’t just heads – they have full bodies buried underground.
• The average height of a Moai is about 13 feet, but some can reach up to 33 feet.
• There are nearly 1,000 Moai statues on Easter Island.
• The statues were carved between 1250 and 1500 AD.
• They are believed to represent ancestral chiefs or other important individuals.
• The largest Moai ever transported weighs 82 tons.
• Many Moai wear “pukao” – large cylindrical stones on their heads, thought to represent topknots or hats.
• The statues were carved from compressed volcanic ash found at a quarry called Rano Raraku.
• Some Moai have coral and obsidian eyes inlaid.
• The method of transporting these massive statues remains a subject of debate among archaeologists.
• Many Moai face inland, watching over the villages, rather than out to sea.
• The fall of the Moai (many were found toppled) is thought to be linked to civil war or environmental disaster on the island.
• Recent research suggests the statues may have been placed to mark the location of fresh water sources.

• 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.