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In 166 AD, Emperor Marcus Aurelius announced his selection of not one, but two co-Caesars: three-year-old son Marcus Annius Verus and five-year-old son Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (161-192 AD). At the time, the concept of co-Caesars seemed logical since Marcus had previously insisted on sharing the throne with co-Emperor Lucius Verus. Just as Marcus and Lucius were trained since childhood under the care of their adoptive father Antoninus Pius, Marcus paid it forward by grooming young Annius Verus and Commodus for the throne. There was a problem, however. Marcus’ choice was based on bloodline, a detour from the century-long tradition of “good Emperors” chosen by merit. There was also a second, compounding problem. Only one co-Caesar survived childhood, namely Commodus, whose self-interests eclipsed any desire to run an Empire.
Regardless of Commodus’ aspirations, he was promoted to co-Augustus in 177 AD, and, when Marcus died three years later, he inherited sole possession of Rome’s throne. Commodus also inherited his father’s decade long war against barbarian tribes. For an imperial debut, the teenaged Emperor engaged the barbarians, not in battle, but in negotiations. He bribed Rome’s way to peace, and then celebrated a triumph, foreshadowing more narcissism to come.
Despite the celebration, many Romans were worried about Commodus' erratic behavior. Among those concerned were Commodus’ sister Lucilla and wife Crispina. The pair schemed against the Emperor, but their plans unraveled. The Emperor was most displeased, and he exiled the alleged co-conspirators to the isle of Capri. Later, Commodus had a change of heart, and he had both women executed.
About this time (circa 183 AD) the current denarius was struck in Rome. Compared to silver coins struck under his father, Commodus’ coinage had substantially reduced precious metal content, the largest adjustments since Nero’s reign. The design elements and style of this denarius are reminiscent of Marcus’ coinage, seemingly an intentional reminder of Commodus’ heritage and potential for redemption. The obverse depicts a ruggedly handsome bust sporting an Antoninesque beard, making Commodus appear older, wiser, and more accomplished than his twenty-two years. On Commodus’ earlier coinage, he appears quite youthful, and without a beard. The numismatic transformation over time is fascinating, if not necessarily in synch with the Emperor’s actual age. On this coin, the obverse epithet reads M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIV, completing the advertisements of Commodus’ adopted cognomen. The theme continues on the coin’s reverse, featuring a contrapposto Roma, the female embodiment of the same, holding Victory and a spear. The reverse epithet TR P VIII IMP VI COS IIII P P is a reminder that the young Emperor is the father of the country boasting a surprisingly extensive leadership experience: eight times tribune, six time imperator, and four time consul.
These numismatic design elements served as propaganda to associate Commodus with his father’s reign and military conquests. However, the son was very much unlike his father regarding military exploits, not to mention other imperial responsibilities. Indeed, Commodus left others to attend to the Empire’s routine governance. Most infamous among Commodus' delegates was Marcus Aurelius Cleander, former Phrygian slave turned henchman. Nicknamed Pugione (the Dagger) by his boss, he essentially ruled the Empire in the Augustus’ stead. Pugione sold off important administrative positions to the highest bidders, one of many indications of a highly corrupt regime.
Commodus, free to explore his own interests, surrounded himself with a large harem of attractive young men and women, with whom he indulged in decadent luxuries and bisexual escapades. In addition, he took a keen interest in athletic games, particularly gladiatorial ones, and hired the famous wrester, Narcissus, as a personal trainer. Commodus became the star attraction at Rome’s prime venues, where he charged a purse of one million sesterces per fight. These public bouts inevitably resulted in the Augustus’ victory. Although it seems extremely unlikely that any of these fights were fair, Commodus diligently practiced to hone his combat skills, and his left-handedness provided an advantage. Of course, most Roman citizens found the Emperor’s naked gladiatorial combats disgraceful and ludicrous, if not wildly entertaining.
Over time, Commodus’ public antics grew more and more extreme. He modeled himself after Hercules, complete with lion skin costume and club. Seriously wounded or dying soldiers and other citizens were paraded before him, and the Augustus clubbed them out of the miseries, pretending they were enemy giants. Commodus had exotic animals brought before him, and duly executed them before captive, horrified audiences. The hundreds of hapless animals ranged from lions and bears to elephants and giraffes.
Commodus’ megalomania grew out of control, threatening the Empire’s stability. After a fire destroyed parts of Rome, Commodus used the reconstruction as an excuse to endorse himself by renaming the city to Colonia Commodiana. He didn’t stop there, renaming the Roman army as the Commodianae, the Roman populace as the Commodianus, and the Senate as the Commodian Fortunate. He increased the total number of his praenomina, nomina, and cognomina to twelve, conveniently allowing for renaming each month in his own honor. Naturally, the day on which these changes would take effect was called Dies Commodianus, and the inaugural celebration was planned for Lucius (formerly January) 1, 193 AD.
On the night before the gala, conspirators against Commodus finally succeeded. Narcissus, recruited as a backup after a failed poison attempt, strangled the Augustus in his bed. Thus ended Commodus’ reign and undefeated record in combat.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Commodus, 177-192 AD, AR Denarius (17 mm, 2,91 g, 6h), Rome mint, struck 183 AD, NGC Grade: Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate head right, M COMMODVS AN-TON AVG PIVS, Reverse: Roma standing left, holding Victory and spear, TR P VIII IMP VI COS IIII P P, References: RIC III 58; MIR 18, 575-4/30; RSC 885.