Hughie Dwyer Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 He was the Gladiator Emperor - the emperor everyone knew, but very few liked. Whose marksmanship was unrivalled and left-handed nature was much to his liking. However, in the latter years of his reign, Commodus seemed to have fallen into the depths of insanity. He decided that he was the 'Reincarnation of Hercules' and scarred the name of the Imperial Purple for years to come. Coins were issued with Commodus in the attire of Hercules and statues ordered to please the emperor's deluded ways. " Disgracing the Imperial Purple, he fought wild beasts within the walls of the Colosseum and even changed the name of Rome to 'Colonia Commodiana.' " (From RIC Vol II) Commodus performed his most notable act during the Plebeian Games of 192. Cassius Dio tells us this: " On the first day he killed 100 bears all by himself - shooting down at them from the railings of the balustrade... On other days he would descend from his place above and cut down all the domestic animals that approached him... He also killed a tiger, an elephant and a hippopotamus. Having performed these exploits, he would retire but later he would fight as a Gladiator... He held his shield in his right hand and his wooden sword in his left; and indeed took great pride in the fact that he was left-handed. " (Cassius Dio) Yet, this utter disregard for the Roman Population as well as his extreme arrogance, led to many plots against his life. None were successful until the night of December 31st 192, when Commodus was strangled to death and Pertinax was hurriedly installed as emperor. Anyway, this is a post that I have been saving for some time. I have said before that a Commodus coin in the style of Hercules was number one on my wish-list. And last week, this arrived: I am extremely happy with this purchase (even though it was slightly out of my budget😲) and it looks stunning in hand. Thank you for viewing. Let's see your coins of the 'Unworthy Emperor' or anything else that fits! 15 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 25, 2023 · Patron Share Posted February 25, 2023 Coingratulations on acquiring the number one coin on your wish list, @Hughie Dwyer! That's an attractive specimen, too! It's hard to find a good Commodus, particularly from late in his reign. The artistry at the mint was in decline and the silver was debased and many issued at that time range from the eyesore to the barely collectable. Here's one of my more attractive Commodus coins. Commodus, AD 177-192. Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g, 18 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 180. Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: LIB AVG TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P, Liberalitas standing left, holding tessera and cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 10a; Cohen 301; BMC 4. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor LONGINUS Posted February 25, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 25, 2023 Great post, @Hughie Dwyer! Commodus was certainly an interesting Emperor. Here’s Mr. and Ms. Commodus. 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 Very cool coin. I do believe due to the contentious relationship with him and the senate his being written as a "bad" guy is more lip service than reality. But I want there, so who really knows. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 Extraordinary coin @Hughie Dwyer! That is a particularly fine specimen - congrats! Here is my only Commodus: 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 Here are some Commodus coins from my little collection; if anyone interested about more Commodus, here is my little collection of him (but not all coins are uploaded): https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/index.php?cat=53729 Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 180 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 2.99g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Commodus 9a; Rare: R1; Provenance: Roma Numismatics London, Great Britain (Auction 104, Lot 1005); Pedigree: -; Obverse: Head of Commodus, laureate, right; Inscription: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG; Translate: Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reverse: Trophy middle; to left and right a captive seated on the ground; Inscription: TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P; Translate: Tribunicia Potestate Quinta, Imperator Quartum, Consul Secundum, Pater Patriae (Holder of tribunician power for the fifth time, Imperator for the fourth time, consul for the second time, father of the nation) Comment: A few days after his father's death (17 March 180 AD), the high officials and commanders presented the new emperor to the army. Commodus gave a speech to the soldiers and granted them rich gifts of money. For a short time, everything was done according to the advice of the proven ministers, but then Commodus decided, despite the opposition of his brother-in-law Claudius Pompeianus, to break off the war and return home to Rome. Conquered partly by arms, partly by money, the Marcomanni and Quades conceded relatively favourable peace terms, and an honourable peace was also concluded with the Boers. Thereupon the Emperor believed himself entitled to renew the title of Emperor (IMP IIII). He then hurried as quickly as possible to the capital's pleasures, pompously entering Rome on 22 October 180 AD. It is quite possible that the type of denarius presented here was issued in the context of this event. The reverse shows two prisoners (Marcomanni and Quades?) next to a victory trophy, symbolising the new emperor's honourable victory over Rome's enemies. Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 182 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 17.5mm; Weight: 3.32g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Commodus 36a; Rare: R1; Provenance: CNG Classical Numismatic Group Lancaster, USA (Auction 533, Lot 552); Obverse: Head of Commodus, laureate, right; Inscription: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG; Translate: Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reverse: Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding abacus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; Inscription: LIB AVG V TR P VII IMP IIII COS III P P; Translate: Liberalitas Augustorum Quinta, Tribunicia Potestate Septima, Imperator, Quartum, Consul Tertium, Pater Patriae (The fifth liberality of the Augustus, holder of tribunician power for the seventh time, Imperator for the fourth time, consul for the third time, father of the nation) Comment: Financial management under Commodus was particularly bad. Partly as a result of the senseless expenditure on competitions and games of all kinds, partly as a result of the lavish gifts to the people, there was a great shortage of money (Dio LXXII 16, 1-3. Comm. 16, 8-9). Commodus had numerous coins minted and issued with Liberalitas Augusti; LIB I in 175 AD, LIB II in 177/178 AD, LIB III in 180 AD, LIB IIII in 181 AD, LIB V in 182 AD, LIB VI in 185/186 AD, LIB VII in 190 AD, LIB VIII and LIB IX then for the last time in 192 AD. This lack of money was remedied by confiscations and the sale of offices, as well as by robbery and threats. The background of the Liberalitas V denarius type presented here was the conspiracy in 181 AD against Commodus. Whether Lucilla was actually co-responsible for the assassination of her brother, or to what extent, is historically not perfectly certain. Apparently Commodus' sister joined forces with her cousin M. Claudius Ummidius Quadratus to assassinate the emperor. The young Tib. Claudius Pompeianus Quintianus was entrusted with the execution. He confronted the emperor at the entrance to the theatre with his sword drawn and shouted: "this is sent to you by the Senate". But he did not carry out the fatal stroke himself; he was bound and executed. Soon Quadratus was also killed, and, it seems, a Norbana, a Norbanus, a Paralius and his mother as accomplices. Lucilla herself was first banished to the island of Capri and then later executed. To celebrate the failed assassination, coins of the LIB AVG V were issued afterwards. Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 183/184 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 2.71g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Commodus 79; Rare: R1; Provenance: Casa de Subastas Numismatica Madrid, Spain (Auction 636, Lot 155); Obverse: Head of Commodus, laureate, right; Inscription: M COMMODVS ANTON AVG PIVS; Translate: Marcus Commodus Antoninus Augustus Pius; Reverse: Victory, winged, draped, standing right, inscribing shield set on palm at base of which, seated captive; Inscription: P M TR P VIIII IMP VI COS IIII P P; Translate: ontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Nona, Imperator Sextum, Consul Quartum, Pater Patriae (High priest, holder of tribunician power for the ninth time, Imperator for the sixth time, consul for the fourth time, father of the nation) Comment: In 183 AD Commodus took the epithet Pius after he had, as the senate mocked, designated a paramour of his mother as consul (Comm. 8, 1). In the Arvalactae he already bears this name on 7 January 183 AD. Apparently at the same time as the adoption of the name Pius, the renewal of the title Imperator took place (IMP VI). The reason for the adoption of both titles is not historically certain. The background of the Victory denarius type presented here is probably the Britannic War that began in 184 AD. Little is known about the revolt itself. Cassius Dio reports that tribes from the north had broken through the border wall separating them from the Empire and killed a general (possibly Caerellius Priscus) with all his guards - presumably during an inspection of Hadrian's Wall. Furthermore, he named the war as the most severe in Commodus' reign and reported that it could only be put down at the end of 184 AD. Commodus sent against them Ulpius Marcellus, who had already administered Britain in the time of the Emperor Marcus. Marcellus undertook punitive raids north of the border and may have attempted to reoccupy the Antonine Wall. However, he eventually retreated to Hadrian's Wall and probably concluded treaties with the tribes in charge. The forts north of the Wall, such as Newstead, were abandoned. Two inscriptions on the fortress at Cilurnum mention him in connection with Ala II Asturum. Due to the victory over the Caledonians, Commodus later took the name Britannicus and his seventh imperial title. Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 189 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 2.53g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Commodus 190; Rare: R2; Provenance: Degussa Goldhandel Frankfurt, Germany (MA-Shop Item 108562); Obverse: Head of Commodus, laureate, right; Inscription: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P; Translate: Marcus Commodus Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus Britannicus Pater Patriae (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, the pious, the fortunate, Augustus, conqueror of the Britons, father of the nation); Reverse: Securitas, draped, seated left, holding globe in right hand; Inscription: SEC ORB P M TR P XIIII COS V DES VI; Translate: Securitas Orbis, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Quarta Decima, Consul Quintum, Designatus Sextum (Safety of the world, high priest, holder of tribunician power for the 14th time, consul for the fifth time, elect for the sixth time) Comment: Securitas is the Roman personification of security in the sense of (domestic) political calm and stability, based above all on a "secure" position of power for the emperor and the continuity of rule. It is a frequent motif in times of crisis. In the later years of Commodus' reign, the representational repertoire of the Securitas, compared to his earlier issues, is expanded. On the reverse of coinages of the period 188 to 189 AD Securitas, again dressed in diadem, tunic and cloakcloth, is seated facing left on a throne with a high back, but now holding a globe in the hand of her right arm. The armrest of the throne appears to be in the shape of a sphinx, as can be seen on better preserved pieces. The accompanying legend SEC/SECVR/SECVRIT ORB with titular addition varies according to issue and nominal. That the Securitas coinage of 181/182 AD referred to the (Lucilla) conspiracy against the emperor is possible, but by no means certain, and could therefore also have been intended as an electoral promise of a calm and secure future. SECVRITAS ORBIS takes up a catchword that had already existed - at least as an idea - under Antoninus Pius. The concept of the secure circle of the earth certainly gained further relevance in the following years in view of the constant defensive battles on the borders of the empire, and Commodus himself allegedly called himself, among other things, "pacifier of the circle of the earth" (Cass. Dio 73, 15, 5). Thus, these Securitas Orbis issues of 189 AD are not directly related to the fall of Cleander, because this domestic crisis is in contrast to the catchword "orbis". On the contrary, Commodus is said to have demonstratively taken over the steering of the empire again after the fall of Cleander. More than ever, Securitas now also referred to the security of the entire Roman Empire - guaranteed by the emperor! - security of the entire Roman Empire: all the land ruled by Commodus is safe from external and internal enemies. Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 190 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.51g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC III Commodus 208; Rare: R1; Provenance: Heritage Numismatics Dallas, USA (Auction 232308 February 2023, Lot 64114); Obverse: Head of Commodus, laureate, right; Inscription: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT P P; Translate: Marcus Commodus Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus Britannicus Pater Patriae (Marcus Commodus Antoninus, the pious, the fortunate, Augustus, conqueror of the Britons, father of the nation); Reverse: Libertas, draped, standing front, head left, holding pileus in right hand and rod in left hand; Inscription: LIB AVG P M TR P XV COS VI; Translate: Liberalitas Augustorum, Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Quinta Decima, Consul Sextum (The liberality of the Augustus, high priest, holder of tribunician power for the 15th time, consul for the sixth time) Comment: Financial management under Commodus was particularly bad. Partly as a result of the senseless expenditure on competitions and games of all kinds, partly as a result of the lavish gifts to the people, there was a great shortage of money (Dio LXXII 16, 1-3. Comm. 16, 8-9). Commodus had numerous coins minted and issued with Liberalitas Augusti; LIB I in 175 AD, LIB II in 177/178 AD, LIB III in 180 AD, LIB IIII in 181 AD, LIB V in 182 AD, LIB VI in 185/186 AD, LIB VII in 190 AD, LIB VIII and LIB IX then for the last time in 192 AD. This lack of money was remedied by confiscations and the sale of offices, as well as by robbery and threats. This Libertas / Liberalitas issue of Commodus is again related to the emperor's "lucky" survival of a precarious situation - in this case the fall of Cleander; a Phrygian, was born into slavery and probably freed already under Marcus Aurelius. He played an important role from the beginning of Commodus' reign. Thus Cleander had already established a personal relationship with Commodus in his childhood days, having been entrusted with his supervision at times. As "a cubiculo" he was already an influential person during the dominance of the praetorian prefect Perennis. When discontented Roman soldiers from Britain confronted the emperor in AD 185 to demand the head of Perennis, he is said to have advised Commodus to drop the prefect. With the fall of the Perennis, Cleander became the most important person in the emperor's circle. Under Cleander's influence, Commodus had moved closer to the Senate again and restricted the emperor's beneficia to the people. However, Cleander is said to have been greedy and therefore sold both offices and senatorial dignities. He was generally hated by both the nobility and the people. As a result of a famine and a resulting hunger revolt, he was abandoned to the angry mob by Commodus (end of AD 189). 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 2 hours ago, Roman Collector said: Commodus, AD 177-192. Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g, 18 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 180. Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: LIB AVG TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P, Liberalitas standing left, holding tessera and cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 10a; Cohen 301; BMC 4. Thats a nice example - gratulation. This was the third Liberalitas (LIB III) that Commodus issued at the end (probably 22 October until 31 December) of 180 AD (with his praenomen Marcus). After the death of his father, Commodus decided to break off the war in the north and return home to Rome, despite the opposition of his brother-in-law (Claudius) Pompeianus. Conquered partly by arms, partly by money, the Marcomanni and Quades conceded relatively favourable peace terms, and an honourable peace was also concluded with the Boers. Thereupon the Emperor believed himself entitled to renew the title of Imperator (IMP IIII on your coin). He then set off in haste for Rome, where he probably made a triumphal entry on 22 October. Soon afterwards he held a triumph in Rome and changed his name from L. Aurelius. Commodus to M. Commodus Antoninus. Your Liberalitas coin was issued for the entry into Rome or during the aftermath of the triumphal procession. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 @Hughie Dwyer...That's a real beauty!...This type is at the top of my list too I've just not focused 100% on obtaining one yet..Yours is a very nice example with good detail both sides Congrats! Commodus Denarius (light weight) RIC#126 Commodus AR Denarius.Rome mint 186 AD 1.87gr 17mm Obverse-M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT, laureate head right Reverse- P M TR P XI IMP VII COS V PP, Concordia standing front, head left, holding standard in each hand.CONC MIL (below) 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 52 minutes ago, CPK said: Here is my only Commodus: The seventh liberalitas corresponds to my denarius RIC 208. If you want to know more about the exact background and also your sestertius - I have a PDF document for you here. Schumacher Leonhard - Die siebente Liberalitas des Commodus auf einem Sesterz.pdf 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 25, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 25, 2023 (edited) For all his philosophical musings Marcus Aurelius failed to "adopt" a man of high standing and abilities as his successor, instead leaving his position to Commodus. Thus, it was the end of the period of the five "good" emperors. We all know what happened next. Chaos, followed by the somewhat destructive "meh" reigns of the Severan dynasty for the next 45 years. As Gibbon says: "If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus. Commodus (180-192. C.E.) Type: Billon Tetradrachm, 25mm, 11.06 grams Obverse: M AVΡ KOMMO ANTΩNINOC CE, Laureate bust of Commodus right Reverse: VΠAT OCTOΔ, Zeus seated left, holding scepter and thunderbolt, K theta in field Reference: Emmett 2567 Edited June 19, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 16 minutes ago, Spaniard said: Reverse- P M TR P XI IMP VII COS V PP, Concordia standing front, head left, holding standard in each hand.CONC MIL (below) If it is interesting for you: very interesting historical edition of Commodus from 186 AD - the case of the favourite and prefect Perennis. The latter had probably made himself unpopular with the Britannic legions by appointing chivalrous army commanders instead of senatorial ones. There were uprisings, the soldiers even wanted to proclaim a new emperor. The rebellious troops sent a large delegation of 1500 men to Rome to bring about the fall of Perennis. Commodus is said to have confronted them shortly before Rome. When he asked them what they wanted, they demanded the head of Perennis. Commodus dropped his favourite and gave him up to the mob. They murdered not only Perennis, but also his wife, sister and two sons. Nevertheless, the Britannic legions would not calm down. Commodus therefore sent the later emperor Pertinax to Britain to put them down. In his attempts to calm the situation, he almost lost his life. Already in 185 AD there were corresponding issues, but the largest issues were in 186 AD, such as your "concordia militum" - and "issues of "fides exercituum" coins. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 @Prieure de Sion...Thank you!..That certainly is interesting and will add this info to my spreadsheet..Much appreciated. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenfool Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 Excellently rendered coin! Strong detail on both sides, the head-dress still has fur on the obverse and the club is still studded on the reverse . I'm still searching for my example that straddles affordability and detail! Something that is interesting to me is that this coinage didn't condemn the lion skin headdress forever. Maximian and his son Maxentius can be seen sporting it on some gold issues. Maximian of course being touted as Hercules' servant here on earth during the Tetrarchic period. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 ...a nice coin of a not so nice emperor ..my only coin of him... 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 2 hours ago, Prieure de Sion said: The seventh liberalitas corresponds to my denarius RIC 208. If you want to know more about the exact background and also your sestertius - I have a PDF document for you here. Schumacher Leonhard - Die siebente Liberalitas des Commodus auf einem Sesterz.pdf 827.9 kB · 3 downloads Thanks! That is interesting. Is there a way I can translate that to English? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 25, 2023 42 minutes ago, CPK said: Thanks! That is interesting. Is there a way I can translate that to English? If you have an Mac yes 😄 ... marked the text, right mous click, translate. For Windows i dont know, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted February 25, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 25, 2023 1 minute ago, Prieure de Sion said: If you have an Mac yes 😄 ... marked the text, right mous click, translate. For Windows i dont know, sorry. This should be the same for Windows. But when you right click, 'Translate to English' is greyed out and the text is unselectable in an image. When you download, Adobe wants a subscription to convert it to Word, but who knows if that would still be an image or text. The only hope is through my Google Translate app on my phone, but it's not very comfortable to read so much text through the camera 🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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