COMMODUS (Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus), Roman emperor. — Born at Lanuvium on 31 August 161, died at Rome on 31 December 192. Associated in the empire from 176 by his father Marcus Aurelius, he succeeded him in March 180. Although educated wisely and despite the example of his father’s virtues, he was a vulgar and terrible tyrant, bringing back to the throne the atrocities and cruelties of Nero and Domitian.
He despised philosophers and studies, passionately loved the games of the circus, in which he did not disdain to participate personally. Yet he had the good sense to send trusted friends and capable generals to govern the provinces. He was a bitter enemy of the Roman Senate, which he fought stubbornly; but after a successful but vain attempt,
the Senate overcame the tyrant, who was killed in the bath. A fanatical follower of Oriental mysteries, C. did not persecute