The Roman Empire was a time of great power, wealth, and intrigue. It was a time when emperors ruled with an iron fist, and their subjects lived in fear of their wrath.
One such emperor was rumored to have killed his own father to take the throne. But did he really do it?
In this article, we will explore the life and reign of this controversial figure, and try to uncover the truth behind one of history’s greatest mysteries.
Join us as we delve into the world of ancient Rome, and discover whether or not Commodus truly killed Marcus Aurelius.
Did Commodus Kill Marcus Aurelius
Commodus was a Roman emperor who ruled from 177 to 192 AD. He served jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until the latter’s death in 180, and thereafter he reigned alone until his assassination. Commodus is known for his controversial reign, which marked the end of a golden age of peace and prosperity in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana.
One of the most debated topics surrounding Commodus is whether or not he killed his own father, Marcus Aurelius, to take the throne. While there are many theories and rumors surrounding this event, there is no concrete evidence to support any of them.
Some historians believe that Marcus Aurelius died of natural causes, possibly due to a contagious disease like the plague. Others argue that Commodus may have had a hand in his father’s death, either by poisoning him or by asphyxiating him.
Regardless of how Marcus Aurelius died, it is clear that Commodus took over as Roman sovereign in AD 180. His reign was marked by intrigue and conspiracies, leading him to revert to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership. He created a deific personality cult, with himself performing as a gladiator in the Colosseum.
Throughout his reign, Commodus entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects. His assassination in 192 marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.
Introduction To Commodus And Marcus Aurelius
Commodus was born as Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus on August 31, 161 AD in Lanuvium, Latium. He was the son of Marcus Aurelius, who was also a Roman emperor, and Faustina the Younger. Marcus Aurelius was a renowned philosopher and a respected ruler who had led the Roman Empire to a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
Lucius, later known as Commodus, was made co-ruler with his father in 177 AD and became the sole emperor after Marcus Aurelius’s death in 180 AD. Commodus initially showed promise as a ruler and joined his father in campaigns against Germanic tribes along the Danube. However, after his father’s death, he quickly made peace with the Germans and began to rule in his own right.
Commodus’s reign was marked by political instability, corruption, and cruelty. He executed a number of leading senators and entrusted the management of affairs to his palace chamberlain and praetorian prefects. His rule became increasingly dictatorial, and he developed a god-like personality cult around himself.
Despite the controversies surrounding his reign, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Commodus killed his own father to take the throne. The exact cause of Marcus Aurelius’s death remains unknown, but it is clear that Commodus succeeded him as the Roman emperor and left behind a legacy of tyranny and civil strife.
The Life And Reign Of Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 161 to 180 AD. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome and is best known for his philosophical work, Meditations. He was also a successful military leader, spending most of his reign waging war against various enemies of Rome.
Marcus Aurelius came to power following the death of his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius. He ruled jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, until Lucius’ death in 169. Marcus then ruled alone until his own death in 180.
During his reign, Rome fought the Roman-Parthian War of 161-166 and the Marcomannic Wars. The Antonine Plague also occurred during his rule, which had a devastating impact on the population.
Despite spending much of his time at war, Marcus Aurelius was also known for his legal reforms. He promulgated numerous measures and judicial decisions that improved the lives of slaves, widows, minors, and recognized claims of blood relationship in the field of succession.
Although Marcus Aurelius disliked Christians, there was no systematic persecution of them during his reign. Their legal status remained as it had been under Trajan and Hadrian.
The Rise Of Commodus
Commodus was born on August 31, 161 CE in Lanuvium, Latium (now Lanuvio, Italy). He was the son and heir of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. At the age of 12, he showed signs of his cruel nature when he ordered a servant to be thrown into a furnace for not heating his bathwater enough.
Commodus accompanied his father during the Marcomannic Wars in 172, and on a tour of the Eastern provinces in 176. In 177, he was made coruler and heir to his father, and they served jointly until Marcus Aurelius’s death in 180.
Upon taking the throne as sole ruler, Commodus changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus. His reign initially enjoyed reduced military conflict compared with the reign of Marcus Aurelius. However, as time passed, intrigues and conspiracies abounded, leading Commodus to revert to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership.
Commodus’s rule became increasingly arbitrary and vicious. In 182, his sister Lucilla conspired with a group of senators to assassinate him. The plot failed, and Commodus retaliated by executing a number of leading senators. Thereafter, political influence passed to the emperor’s mistress and two advisers.
Commodus’s ego led him to create a deific personality cult, with himself performing as a gladiator in the Colosseum. He imagined that he was the god Hercules, entering the arena to fight as a gladiator or to kill lions with bow and arrow.
Commodus’s assassination in 192 marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first emperor in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors. Despite his terrible legacy as a ruler, Commodus remains an intriguing figure in Roman history, with debates still raging about his role in the death of his father and the true nature of his reign.
The Death Of Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius, the father of Commodus, was the sixteenth emperor of Rome and a Stoic philosopher. He spent most of his reign waging war against Germanic tribes to the north. Following Cassius’ failed grab for power, Marcus accelerated the promotion of his son and successor, Commodus. In 177, Marcus declared Commodus Augustus, giving him the same status as himself. The next three years, Marcus spent beyond the Danube limes fighting rebellious tribes in their territory. It was there he met his end. Following another great victory over the barbarians, the emperor fell ill. In 180, Marcus Aurelius died at the Danubian legions’ military headquarters at Vindobona (modern Vienna). Deified and cremated, his ashes were sent to Rome and laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Hadrian.
There are several theories about how Marcus Aurelius died. Some historians believe that he died of natural causes, possibly due to a contagious disease like the plague that devastated the Roman Empire at that time. Others argue that Commodus may have had a hand in his father’s death, either by poisoning him or by asphyxiating him. However, there is no concrete evidence to support any of these theories.
Regardless of how Marcus Aurelius died, his death marked the end of a golden age of peace and prosperity in the history of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana. Commodus took over as Roman sovereign and his reign was marked by intrigue and conspiracies, leading him to revert to an increasingly dictatorial style of leadership. The death of Marcus Aurelius paved the way for Commodus’ controversial reign and ultimately marked the end of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty.
Theories Surrounding Marcus Aurelius’ Death
The death of Marcus Aurelius has been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some historians believe that he died of natural causes, while others suggest that he may have been murdered. The most controversial theory is that Commodus, his son and successor, may have played a role in his father’s death.
One theory suggests that Commodus may have poisoned his father in order to take the throne. This theory is based on the fact that Commodus was known to be ambitious and power-hungry, and may have seen his father’s death as an opportunity to seize power.
Another theory suggests that Commodus may have suffocated his father with a pillow while he was sleeping. This theory is based on the fact that Marcus Aurelius was known to suffer from respiratory problems, which could have made him vulnerable to suffocation.
However, there is no concrete evidence to support either of these theories. It is also possible that Marcus Aurelius died of natural causes, as he was known to be in poor health towards the end of his life.
Regardless of how he died, Marcus Aurelius’ legacy as a philosopher-king and one of the greatest leaders of the Roman Empire continues to inspire people today.
Evidence For And Against Commodus’ Involvement
There is no concrete evidence to support the theory that Commodus killed his father, Marcus Aurelius. However, there are some indications that suggest he may have played a role in his father’s death.
One argument in favor of Commodus’ involvement is his ambition to become emperor. He had been made Caesar at a young age and was being groomed to succeed his father. Some historians argue that he may have grown impatient and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Another piece of evidence that suggests Commodus’ involvement is the fact that he had a strained relationship with his father. Marcus Aurelius was known for his stoic philosophy and strict morals, which clashed with Commodus’ extravagant lifestyle and love of gladiatorial combat. This tension could have led to conflict between the two.
However, there are also arguments against Commodus’ involvement in his father’s death. For one, there is no clear motive for him to commit such an act. Marcus Aurelius was a beloved ruler and had no known enemies within his own family.
Additionally, there are accounts that suggest Marcus Aurelius died of natural causes, possibly due to an epidemic that was spreading at the time. This would imply that Commodus had no hand in his father’s death.
Ultimately, the true cause of Marcus Aurelius’ death remains a mystery, and it is impossible to say with certainty whether or not Commodus played a role in it.
