Commodus - The Gladiator Emperor #18 Roman History Documentary Series

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Go to curiositystream.thld.co/SPQR_0222 and use code SPQR to save 25% off today, that’s only $14.99 a year. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video.

[@MarcusAgrippa390]

It's amazing how the Roman empire could go from the pinnacle of rulers such as Marcus Aurelius to the bizarre Commodus. But of course it's not just Rome....

[@thadtuiol1717]

Oh, do go on, don't leave us in suspense.

[@AjninHaru]

@@thadtuiol1717 I’ll help. Trumpus Aurelius to Biden Commodus.

[@vice2versa]

@@AjninHaru to democrats, Trump would be Commodus.

[@ajmarr5671]

Trump Caligula to biden antoninus pius

[@Asgoga]

​@@AjninHaru More like tRumpus Nero to Biden Vespasianus

[@MartyBones]

Loved it once again! You are doing an *AMAZING* job with these documentaries, can't wait for the next one! :)

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks! Yeah Pertinax Is a really interesting guy

[@Hilversumborn]

Commodus became more and more paranoid over time with Cleander being the final straw. My guess is he did all those extravagant things to dare anyone to stand up to him, which at the same time would identify them as potential traitors.

[@histguy101]

It's not paranoia when the threat is real

[@sportsnewz5608]

Commodus He was born when his father was still emperor. His father tried to teach him on how to govern a country but Commodus was only interested in his own pleasure. When he inherited the crown he became extremely paranoid.

[@kennethgrundmann5576]

Alex you got to be the best narrator on KZbin and the hardest-working I'm finding you on every channel that I'm subscribed to great work man!

[@alexanderdoddy7590]

Cheers :)

[@anthonydefex]

Marcus was supposed to have possessed much wisdom, it was an incomprehensible mistake, a tremendous lapse of judgment, to have set up his son as an heir

[@revanius2213]

A father's love for a child can blind the wisest of men.

[@anthonydefex]

@@revanius2213 I guess so. We hear all the time how many parents claim their kids "didn't" to it" after they are accused of some serious crimes.

[@GeneralInformation-jw3iw]

He had him set up with many advisors over him, that Commodus promptly fired. Even with, still a massive mistake.

[@none2912]

This is a misconception. Marcus Aurelius already had a successor in the name of Lucius Verus as you may know but he unfortunately died from the plague leaving him with no choice

[@rabiaadam]

I think he was probably more popular and thus Senate tarnished his image

[@justinian-the-great]

As always, this is another excellent video! Commodus indeed was the worst thing that could've happened to the Empire after Marcus Aurelius died. Things like mass desertions and eventual Bellum desertorum and rebellion of legions in Britain show us just how low the army's prestige has fallen, something that will be a very real problem when dealing with foreign invaders later on, which is greatly the responsibility of Commodus. Not to mention his decision to abandon Danubian conquests that Marcus Aurelius achieved. Unfortunately, unlike his father, Commodus didn't understand the principal rule of history of all empires: when the expansion of an empire stops, then begins its collapse. By giving up on conquering new lands Commodus was a direct catalyst for begining of Empire's downfall. Hand in hand with his military failures, his neglect of Senate and magistrates begins the crumbling of Empire's institutions. Meanwhile what Commodus did with empowering prefect of the Praetorian guard meant that this paramilitary forces will in future be principal kingmakers (emperormakers?) thus eroding the institution of Emperor. This would in turn cause more and more rebellions and civil wars, where successful generals and their legions, rather than Senate and people of Rome, would rule Rome. And all that comes from Commodus. So it should not be surprising that after Commodus died exactly this things, Praetorians playing kingmakers and multiple generals initiating multiple civil wars, followed. Thus Commodus, although unintentionally, bears much of the responsibility for breaking the system of government and enabling all of future civil wars.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

I’ve considered if Marcus could’ve chosen a different Emperor but just considering Roman property Law; it would've been exceedingly hard for Marcus not to have Commodus' succeed him - What belonged to the Imperial Estate and what belonged to Emperor is very convoluted - Only way was to disinherit Commodus which of course he wouldn’t do. Commodus was still young when Marcus died so perhaps he could, with the right guidance, turn out okay. I'm not sure abandoning Marcus Aurelius northern war was the wrong choice, it seems like both the Romans and the Marcomanni and Quadi were exhausted after years of fighting, and considering that it was mostly quiet on that frontier for the coming decades - at least it wasn't disastrous. But the praetorians had become extremely spoiled during Commodus, which is very apparent in Pertinax's reign. I think Pertinax could've become a great emperor if he had been given a fair chance. But the praetorians couldn't stand to go back to normal duties after their decadence in Commodus's reign. Not to mention Didius Julianusä reign, just farcical... It is the beginning of the end but it's a slow fall with some recoveries throughout the coming centuries.

[@histguy101]

The empire wasn't expanding, and with one or two exceptions, hadn't been since the days of Augustus. They weren't out waging wars of conquest every year. Even the Marcomannic war was defensive, and then punitive. The few post-Augustan conquests were the most pointless, and the most fleeting. The empire became even larger after Commodus And the Praetorian Guard were already kingmakers.

[@tr7b410]

History is cylical.The problems the Roman Emperors faced in the waning days of it empire, are now recycling into the pathos of the political landscape in England,America,Russia ad nauseum. The richest men are buying their way into power.Screwing the poor is always the end game for any regime.

[@Gizzatow]

@@histguy101 это уже не первый век нашей эры,а второй и правителей вроде Калигулы и Нерона Риму уже тяжело было переварить.Римское государство было избаловано правлением пяти Антонинов и пришло в ужас от Коммода.Причём перед империей стояли колоссальные вызовы для решения которых нужен был очень здравомыслящий человек,а они получили сумасшедшего.Рим уже не оправился от столь дегенеративного правления,а власть в государстве стало поприщем успешных генералов породив безумие третьего века.Да,у Рима ещё будут Диоклетиан и Константин,но по факту душа Рима умерла вместе с Антонинами.

[@ProbusVerus]

Sic transit gloria mundi! Great video! Always worth the wait!

[@MegaTang1234]

Poor Commodus, I too would be paranoid if there is a conspiracy against me from even my own siblings, let alone the Senate.

[@jasonlee8156]

Can't say I feel would have felt sorry for him.

[@Gen.berseker25]

As a fan of Gladiator, the real story of Emperor Commodus is very interesting!

[@jamesashley9127]

Another killer vid my friend! You've got a unique style to the flow of your vids and I totally dig it! Thank you for sharing with me, I appreciate you. Please keep it up! Stay cool.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks James! I appreciate you

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Excellent video as ever. I think his aloofness and overreliance on the cretin Cleander did much to damage his popularity and his understanding of what was happening outside his palace. Ironically perhaps if there had been fewer conspiracies against him, he may have had a greater interest in the day to day running of the empire. There is a fun note from Aurelius Victor that states that Commodus would fight opponents in the arena but gave himself a sword of iron and them a sword of lead.

[@TK-qz3pc]

Unfortunately, like many amateur historians, you, and the narrator have fallen foul of the subjective, hyperbolic histories of the senate. Commodus was a traditional Augustus of old, giving status for bribes, performing games for the populace etc So much false history in relation to this man. I would recommend kings and generals video, they are objective, in as much as possible, showing both sides.

[@Athena-oh3uj]

@@TK-qz3pc You go after so called "amateur historians", yet you recommend Kings and Generals.

[@crabcrab2024]

Your videos definitely deserve more likes! Very good job. Thank you!

[@warlorddavid8290]

Great video as always, been here since beginning don't plan on missing a single one

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thank you, I appricate that

[@Congowillprevail243]

Glad to find this channel I’m a history freak. Thank you so much and may God bless you

[@grumsproduktion4083]

Just found this channel, this will be my new favourite sleeping aid since i gone through "fall of Civilizations" documentaries several times now :)

[@michelleandrade303]

Great video! I really enjoy that they’re on order, it helps me to understand history ❤️

[@christopherevans2445]

Faustina may well have been quietly put away. Many historians protected Marcus as the Perfect philosopher Emperor

[@isac.est10]

Can you make a videos series for the 7 roman kings before the republic, and empire. Really enjoy this.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yes! I plan to make a series on the origins of Rome, starting with the fall of Troy

[@basictoglamchictravels]

@@TheSPQRHistorian That would be awesome 👌, I'm waiting in line

[@hkschubert9938]

What a great historical summary of emperor Commodus thank you !!

[@hkschubert9938]

@@Endgame707 dufus. Commodus was roman born of Roman parents in Rome.

[@hkschubert9938]

@@Endgame707 well Commodus doesn't have Serbian genetics unless his mother slept around.

[@doxenterzo1069]

Can't wait for the videos on the Severians

[@shadowmihaiu]

I wonder how it is Marcus Aurelius creates such a pathological progeny. I suspect we don't know everything about Marcus Aurelius...

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Mad emperor? Callous, depraved and blood-thirsty but mad? Personally I would retitle it 'The Gladiator Emperor'

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Done 😘

[@EasternRomanHistory]

@@TheSPQRHistorian Always a pleasure. I just thought, since you had called your Caligula video the mad emperor, one should not repeat yourself.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah repeating yourself would seem Mad

[@rdf4315]

I think after hearing about the history of Commodus father and grandfather easily makes him the worst emperor even worse than Nero and Caligula, at least they could say that they had no father figure that could help guide them and prepare them to be a future emperor by having the greatest example on how to lead from your father and grandfather that are arguably the two greatest emperors of Rome ever .

[@aarondemiri486]

Ahhh Pertinax a man who could've done so well

[@aidanbob2048]

:,(

[@TK-qz3pc]

Sure bud, research him independently

[@geordiejones5618]

Everyone blames Commodus or his dad for elevating him but NO ONE blames Marcus's first choice as a successor. Tiberius Pompeianus was offered the throne on at least two and as many as four times, declining Marcus possibly on two occasions, then declining Pertinax and Didius Julianus in turn (can't really blame those turn downs based on how greedy the Praetorians had been). And this isn't some random general who's popular, this is Marcus's own son in law, married to his daughter. He was first in line to succeed, had skills as both an administrator and general, and he clearly didn't let vanity go to his head. If he accepts the throne we would talk about the six or maybe even seven good emperors instead of just five of he chooses a competant successor. The Severan Dynasty accelerated and/or exacerbated a lot of the problems of the Principate so it'd be interesting to see what changes for Rome if Severus never has a chance to take control.

[@babyramses5066]

It is a good point. Commodus was "born in the purple" but he inherited an empire on super extra hard mode. I don't even think Pompeianus would've been able to sort out all of the discontent and politics in the army and Pretorian guard enough not to get assassinated eventually. Maybe for a time, continuing the northern expansion could have helped him. But even if he was successful, he'd still have that viper pit that was the senate, famines, the Antonine plague, fires, and the sociopathically ambitious fractal royal houses to deal with when he got back. He might've been wise to refuse. Or maybe he should've had Commodus killed before he assumed power?

[@ranapratapsingh3416]

Amazing history of Rome. Some times good and sometimes bad.

[@Geodendronitrian]

Just found your channel and it looks great!!!!!

[@LightxHeaven]

History will forever curse the name Commodus.

[@mortenburchardtnielsen7195]

Bad Emperor, good video ;D

[@imperialtalitus1239]

Great video, would you consider doing any videos on Alexander the Great and Philip II?

[@majorbob7211]

Those two folks are not from SPQR my guy

[@imperialtalitus1239]

@@majorbob7211 I know I just thought it could be a good spin off series for the Greeks

[@Stormbringer2012]

My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.

[@humbertoventura1344]

what about General Maximus?

[@ebbahugo8231]

Loved it!

[@sqrd3536]

Commodus looks very intimidating and unpredictable with those piercing eyes 👀. I'm sure they chose sickly lions and tigers to fight him. That hippo didn't have a chance in the arena which was out of it's comfort zone.

[@russellnolan9212]

Unquestionable rule leads to this. Even the renaming of Rome is too much apparent disrespect. When the people didn't want to watch the festivities for fear of being shot? Commidus achieved the opposite of love. By 30 and no successor, suggests that maybe he took his frustrations out this way. He liked controled battling too much!

[@shaundavenport621]

Gibbon seems to forget the devastating plague that ravaged Rome during Marcus,s reign.

[@efence4713]

2:37 it’s cruel to a child to give them that much undeserved power. You can see why he would develop into a simple and egocentric being placed so far above others.

[@Bill23799]

Marcus Arelius: I need my son to grow up tough. I shall name him Commodus after my favorite toilet.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Go to curiositystream.thld.co/SPQR_0222 and use code SPQR to save 25% off today, that’s only $14.99 a year. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video.

[@heitoraugustoferreiracaval7827]

Make a video for Germanicus!

[@imperialtalitus1239]

Great idea, I really like Germanicus; one of my favourite Roman generals

[@timsmith1323]

Watch invicta or history uncovered they both done ones on germanicus julius Caesar if that’s the one you mean as there was a couple of generals over the years with the germanicus title though the one I mentioned is the most celebrated it’s Caligula’s father and avenged the teutoburg forrest massacre

[@imperialtalitus1239]

@@timsmith1323 Yeah, thanks, I put out a video about The Battle Of Chaeronea; got any feedback? No worries if you don't want to watch it

[@timsmith1323]

@@imperialtalitus1239 I’ll give it a watch and let you know

[@timsmith1323]

@@imperialtalitus1239 great job lad look forward to the rest of the series 👍

[@robertschneck8583]

What happened to Commodus' twin brother?

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

He died young, before he turned 5 (if I remember correctly)

[@toddkurzbard]

Commodus - the only Emperor named after a toilet.

[@MM22966]

Ahhhhhh, Commudus...Emperor of Bathrooms!

[@Bill23799]

So are you saying the story in the film " Gladiator " was hysterically correct?

[@WildMen4444]

Ave Divus Commodus!

[@rocambolesculnarator]

I recognize this voice, was the narrator sacked from his former history channel job?

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

You might recognise him from HistoryMarche

[@alexanderdoddy7590]

Sacked? Thats news to me

[@MiguelPerez-zx2wg]

It's All Downhill From Here...

[@Spectator007]

Essentially he was like the Ralphie MIA of the crew but in Rome

[@garryferrington811]

The "commode" was named for Commodus.

[@aaronTGP_3756]

Commpdus' conclusion of the Marcomannic War was his only good decision.

[@MMijdus]

So he was totally unfitted to be an emperor. Actually because of a weak personality. Hence his selfdeification and gladiator 'games' to try to impress. Maybe he was brought up to softly by his philosophical father. Psychologically he just could not cope. A plot by the senate against his life for no good reason could be the start of his insecurity. This video sheds for me a whole new light upon the reason why his rulership would be a failure, and he himself would become a mad man.

[@tr7b410]

One can surmise Commodus paranoia for his life was due to his probable poisoning of his father while on campaign in Germany.

[@davidhughes8357]

And four puppies and two kittens!! Hail IMPERATOR!!!!!

[@joeywheelerii9136]

For the most part of the tyrants of the principate at least all ya gotta do is just not be in Rome. I imagine for the daily life of some pleb in a far flung province like Mauretania daily life little changed.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah you are correct, little would have changed in the short term for the provincials

[@thefrenchkiwi9435]

What about under Hadrian and later emperors of the IIIrd and IVth centuries who traveled a lot?

[@DeLetsPlayNinja]

Commodus the complete opposite of his father

[@akt2603]

The annunciated emphasis throws off the cadence. The delivery feels frantic. it is simply unnecessary to elevate the emphasis in every sentence to it's zenith. The tinny narration punctuated with excessive indexical intonation make this unenjoyable. It is not enough to tell everyone all that you know, you must allow the listeners time to process what is being conveyed so they too can know it. efficient

[@juancervantes4085]

This is a serious question and not meant to be a joke. Was the modern day commode named after Commodus? Being old enough to have used an outhouse and then the beneficiary of modern day plumbing it is an insult to ANY commode to have been named after one of the most worthless Roman Emperors in history. There were others however I am sure he ranks in the bottom 3 or 5 of the worst. Marcus Aurelius I believe is one of the greatest Roman Emperors of all time. However, the selection of his own son to succeed him was the GREATEST MISTAKE of his reign and leaves him with a tarnished legacy. Any leader of any nation must LOVE his country more than himself or his own family in order to be considered one of the greatest. This was Marcus Aurelius greatest failing after a long and storied life and career.

[@MouAresounTaPneusta]

Happy to live in a de-imperialized world.

[@kingspore5000]

Unique Emperor, one of my favourites After all, who except him was that cool to be Emperor and gladiator at the same time? That was a total #SigmaMale behaviour Beta male Historians portrated him as a madman, because they were just jealous of his #Grind #Killionaire#Emperor-Gladiator#Grindset

[@ROZAYG]

Well only he always knew he was gonna win 1🤣🤣🤣🤣 it was basically like canned hunting

[@vintologi]

Was he really that bad if significant problems didn't emerge until he was dead?

[@warlorddavid8290]

First!!!!

[@mism847]

Nice

[@oligultonn]

No please do not use Historia Augusta as a source. It is notoriously unreliable.

[@cardosera]

Try talking in a more natural way, it's so tiring to hear your speech

[@gel7935]

calling someone a fan is an insult the term fan is derived from the word FANATIC I gently suggest while you're digging up history educate yourself on words that you call others and refer to yourself as being

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Go to curiositystream.thld.co/SPQR_0222 and use code SPQR to save 25% off today, that’s only $14.99 a year. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video.