Commodus : An Emperor at the Crossroads /
Hekster, O.,
Commodus : An Emperor at the Crossroads / An Emperor at the Crossroads O. Hekster. - 1 online resource. - Dutch Monographs on Ancient History and Archaeology ; 23 Brill Book Archive Part 1, ISBN: 9789004472495 . - Dutch Monographs on Ancient History and Archaeology ; 23. Brill Book Archive Part 1, ISBN: 9789004472495. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The emperor Commodus (AD 180-192) has commonly been portrayed as an insane madman, whose reign marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Indeed, the main point of criticism on his father, Marcus Aurelius, is that he appointed his son as his successor. Especially Commodus' behaviour as a gladiator, and the way he represented himself with divine attributes (especially those of Hercules), are often used as evidence for the emperor's presumed madness. However, this 'political biography' will apply modern interpretations of the spectacles in the arena, and of the imperial cult, to Commodus' reign. It will focus on the dissemination and reception of imperial images, and suggest that there was a method in Commodus' madness.
9789004502321 9789050632386
10.1163/9789004502321 DOI
Emperor.
Emperors--Rome--Biography.
Political aspects.
DG299
937/.06/092
Commodus : An Emperor at the Crossroads / An Emperor at the Crossroads O. Hekster. - 1 online resource. - Dutch Monographs on Ancient History and Archaeology ; 23 Brill Book Archive Part 1, ISBN: 9789004472495 . - Dutch Monographs on Ancient History and Archaeology ; 23. Brill Book Archive Part 1, ISBN: 9789004472495. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The emperor Commodus (AD 180-192) has commonly been portrayed as an insane madman, whose reign marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Indeed, the main point of criticism on his father, Marcus Aurelius, is that he appointed his son as his successor. Especially Commodus' behaviour as a gladiator, and the way he represented himself with divine attributes (especially those of Hercules), are often used as evidence for the emperor's presumed madness. However, this 'political biography' will apply modern interpretations of the spectacles in the arena, and of the imperial cult, to Commodus' reign. It will focus on the dissemination and reception of imperial images, and suggest that there was a method in Commodus' madness.
9789004502321 9789050632386
10.1163/9789004502321 DOI
Emperor.
Emperors--Rome--Biography.
Political aspects.
DG299
937/.06/092