Does the name Commodus sound familiar? Well, it may be from the film “Gladiator”, which is an Oscar-winning 2000 film.

The villainous emperor in this movie played by Joaquin Phoenix, follows a real-life Roman emperor, Commodus, who in ancient history is reckoned as a “great curse to Romans than any crime or pestilence”.

Commodus ruled from 177 to 192 CE, first as a co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius, and then as a sole emperor after his father’s death. He is often regarded as the end of the golden age of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana, and the beginning of a period of instability and civil war.

Commodus was born on August 31, 161 CE, in Lanuvium, near Rome. He was the son of Marcus Aurelius, one of the most respected and admired emperors, who was also a philosopher and a military leader. Commodus had seven brothers, including a twin, but he was the only one who survived to adulthood. He was raised in a privileged and cultured environment, receiving a comprehensive education from various tutors. He also accompanied his father on his campaigns against the Germanic tribes along the Danube river.

In 177 CE, when Commodus was 16 years old, he was made co-emperor and consul by his father, who wanted to secure his succession and associate him with his achievements. Commodus proved to be a brave and competent soldier, fighting alongside his father in several battles. However, he also showed signs of arrogance, cruelty and megalomania, which would later define his character as an emperor.

In 180 CE, Marcus Aurelius died of natural causes, leaving Commodus as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Commodus decided to end the war with the Germans and make peace with them, which was seen by some as a sign of weakness and betrayal of his father’s legacy. He then returned to Rome and devoted himself to a life of luxury and pleasure, neglecting his duties as an emperor. He surrounded himself with flatterers and favorites, who exploited his power for their own gain. He also became paranoid and suspicious of anyone who opposed or criticized him, especially the senators, whom he considered his enemies.

Commodus developed a bizarre obsession with his own divinity and glory. He changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, claiming to be the son of Jupiter, the king of the gods. He also renamed Rome as Colonia Commodiana (the Colony of Commodus) and ordered that all the months of the year be named after him. He participated in gladiatorial games and animal hunts in the Colosseum, dressing himself as Hercules or other mythical heroes. He claimed to have killed thousands of beasts and men with his own hands, although many of them were wounded or unarmed. He also ordered statues and coins to be made in his image, depicting him as a god or a hero.

Commodus’ reign was marked by several plots and conspiracies against him, some of them involving his own family members. In 182 CE, his sister Lucilla organized an assassination attempt on him, but it failed and she was executed along with her accomplices. In 185 CE, another plot was uncovered involving some senators and military officers, who were also put to death. In 189 CE, a plague broke out in Rome, causing widespread famine and disease. Commodus blamed the senators for this calamity and ordered a massacre of many of them. He also appointed a new chief minister, Cleander , who was corrupt and unpopular.

In 192 CE, Commodus planned to celebrate the new year by appearing as a gladiator in front of the Roman people. This outraged many of his supporters and enemies alike, who saw it as an insult to the dignity and honor of the emperor and the empire. A group of conspirators decided to act before he could carry out his plan. They bribed his personal trainer and wrestler , Narcissus , who strangled him in his bath on December 31 , 192 CE . Commodus was 31 years old.

Commodus’ death ended the Nerva-Antonine dynasty , which had ruled Rome for almost a century. His successor was Pertinax , a respected senator and general , who tried to restore order and stability to the empire . However , he was assassinated after only three months by some disgruntled soldiers , who sold the imperial throne to Didius Julianus , a wealthy businessman . This sparked a civil war between several claimants to the throne , known as the Year of the Five Emperors . The eventual winner was Septimius Severus , who founded a new dynasty , but also ushered in a new era of military dictatorship and imperial crisis .