Early Life and Accession to the Throne
Commodus was born into one of the most distinguished families in the Roman Empire. His father, Marcus Aurelius, was not only a philosopher-emperor but also a respected military leader. His reign, which began in 161 AD, is often cited as a period of relative stability and prosperity in the Roman Empire, especially in comparison to the tumultuous periods that followed. Commodus was raised with the expectation that he would inherit his father’s leadership, a task that seemed monumental given his father’s wisdom and reputation.
In 177 AD, after the death of his co-emperor and father, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus ascended to the throne at the young age of 16. He became the sole ruler of the empire, though initially, he co-ruled with his father for a few years. During the early years of his reign, Commodus largely depended on his father’s former advisors and generals, but soon his character and decisions began to shape the empire’s future.
The Decline of the Roman Empire Under Commodus
Unlike his father, Commodus lacked the philosophical grounding and military experience to effectively rule such a vast empire. His reign is often described as a time when the stability of Rome began to crack. Commodus’ personality traits—his arrogance, vanity, and indulgence in luxury—became more apparent as time went on, and he increasingly isolated himself from the responsibilities of government. The emperor, who was originally expected to emulate his father's dignity and philosophical wisdom, began to develop a reputation for cruelty, self-indulgence, and extravagant behavior.
One of the most infamous aspects of Commodus’ rule was his love of gladiatorial combat. In an unprecedented move for a Roman emperor, Commodus personally participated in gladiatorial games, often fighting in the arena to the delight of the Roman populace. His participation was not without controversy; while some citizens saw it as an act of bravery, many thought it beneath the dignity of an emperor. Commodus' fondness for these games led him to take on the persona of Hercules, even styling himself as a living god, and he would regularly appear in the arena dressed in a lion-skin and wielding a club, reenacting the mythological hero’s labors. shutdown123