Commodus – the Outrageous Emperor who Fought as a Gladiator

Roman Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus was a corrupt ruler who was not well received by the Roman people during his reign. He believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules, and enjoyed fighting in an arena as a gladiator. His outrageous tactics, such as slaying the crippled and slaughtering wild beasts in the arena, brought much negative attention, and were believed to have played a role in his eventual assassination. His tumultuous reign as Emperor was the starting point for a period of Roman history that is viewed as having been filled with chaos and decline.

Commodus was born on August 31, 161 AD in Lanuvium, 14 miles southeast of Rome. His father was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and his mother was Faustina the Younger. Faustina was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and was Aurelius’ first cousin. Commodus was the tenth of fourteen children born to Aurelius, and was ultimately the only surviving son.  His twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antonius, died at age four.