Commodus (180 - 192)

Commodus has become one of the most infamous emperors in history. The tales of his exploits and his megalomania have spread far and wide, even seeing depictions in popular culture. But this traditional telling may be more propaganda and fiction than fact. Commodus’s story forces us to examine our own biases and question all of our information on a fundamental level.

Songs Used

The Old Tower Inn - Random Mind
I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor - Chris Zabriskie
Back and Forth - Causmic
Dark Dramatic Music - Mattia Cupelli

Ancient Sources

Cassius Dio - Roman History
Herodian - Roman History

Modern Sources

Strauss, Barry M., Ten Caesars (2019)
Beard, Mary, SPQR (2015)

Online Sources

Loeb Classical Library
Perseus Tufts Library

#history #rome #thucydides

[siddarth]

I believe Commodus wasn't even completely powerless and things like ending war was his own choice. Marcus was sent on campaigns and the war was used to exploit resources by senate probably, Commodus ended it all practically walking in roads with Augustus's idea of not overexpanding. Also selling of offices was a common thing then, not just something commodus did and rebranding Rome to his own name was also not something new. Caesar named calendar in his name's, many rulers did it. Commodus all in all wasn't really unpopular with the masses and selling of office position was needed to fund massive projects that commodus undertook successfully. One I remember is building grand temples, roads, etc. The history is written by the victor and thus reality can never be known. Who knows in 100 years who amongst us will be vilified and who shall be deified by the biased historians. Even the current historians aren't unbiased and has been seen many times. A truly noble soul would be a person who is really unbiased and fearless. No sympathy, compassion, empathy, pride etc only true neutrality can show the reality

[iancoker]

Awesome video man, I really think the cynicism at the end. It provides a relevant and oftentimes likely viewpoint not expressed in most historical recounts. With a little extra production value, you could create a really great channel. I wish the best for ya man.

[the_sandwich]

alternate title:

C*mmodus (180-192)

[shinsenshogun]

Commodus to the Chinese lens are akin to resembling Liu Hong, Emperor Ling of Han and in this case a corrupt Marcus Aurelius with an erased Lucius Verus in the Prince Liu Kui of Hejian, having his son Liu Bian, the elder half-brother of Emperor Xian Liu Xie, becoming a warrior entertainer in his teenhood, but is actually too timid for his regents, to be quietly snuffed out by an attendant in a palace outhouse.

Which is probably a more brutal dath than his actual historic send off.

[Marassandar]

i tend to see Commodus as the Hulk Hogan of his time. The hero of all his Commodomaniacs.

[cesarcampos-belussi]

I really love this and it helped me a lot in my projects

[janiecouture]

Love your video and explanation of the history. I am ready The Story if Christianity by Jean-Piette Isbounts published National Geography.

[histguy]

The horrible things written about Commodus's actions far exceed the things attributed to Nero or Caligula or others, which you didn't really get into here.

[wilsontheconqueror]

Ending a 10 year long war does sound like a bad thing. I don't know the specifics but I know the Romans never liked leaving a conflict with their tails between their legs. But sometimes a Emperor has to cut the empire's loses and end a conflict thats just using up resources. Sounds like it was Marcus's Vietnam. And Commodus spent time on that battlefront in his youth and was ready to end it. Sad that he fell into the trope of "I'm a God!" And probably some mental instability. Good start bad end! Well done as always!

[Hinata]

But dying in his bath stole the glory he loved.

I would rather see him die doing something he loves, in the Coliseum.

By the way, Joaquin Phoenix did a terrific job of portraying this guy.

[weilandiv]

I have no problem with Commodus, don't understand everyone's moral high ground. If I was 16 and emporer I too would be awesome and deity-like. Period!

[nintendo_fan-]

I don't think Commodus was the worst roman emperor ever because the decline of Rome has many reasons, not only the reign of Commodus, but there were barbarian invasions, civil wars, and many bad emperors such as Honorius and Pupienus.

[lharsay]

I still think he was worse than Valentinian III.

[silaninus]

I thought Titus succeeded his biological relative first?