Sacred Haven of Debauchery

Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus (Latin: Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus; August 31, 161, Lanuvium – December 31, 192, Rome) was a Roman emperor.

Commodus had several hundred women and as many boys in his harem. According to contemporaries, he tried all forms of debauchery.

Commodus loved to perform as a gladiator (secutor), although the performance of free citizens in the gladiatorial arena was considered a disgrace (Latin: infamia). He knew this craft well and was skilled with a sword. At the same time, he did not hesitate to display his talents for all to see. In public, he fought in the arena and killed wild animals. He ordered all his performances to be carefully recorded. He participated in 735 fights.

In the last years of his reign, he began to identify himself with Hercules, demanding that the Senate call him not Commodus, son of Aurelius, but Hercules, son of Jupiter.

Marcia gave Commodus poisoned wine. The poison did not have the expected effect, and then the emperor was strangled by a slave – the athlete Narcissus, with whom Commodus practiced wrestling.