Featured art object

At 16 years old, Commodus became co-ruler of the Roman Empire with his father Marcus Aurelius. Two years later his father died, and he became sole emperor at an age when some students start college. This celebrated his new status. The portrait was likely painted and would have looked more lifelike, but over the centuries, colors fade. Remaining traces would have been rubbed away by over-cleaning probably in the 1700s.

Rulers’ portraits helped their subjects recognize them. Portraits were sent from Rome to be copied in cities all across the empire. Distinctive identified each emperor, including facial features, hairstyles, and symbols. Members of the royal family showed their relationship by copying the ruler’s hair and beard. In this portrait, Commodus has a long face and slightly protruding eyes with his eyelids lowered. He looks calm and serious. The sculpture’s deeply carved curls and pupils were popular in portraits of this time. Commodus’s hair and beard are similar to his father’s. His cloak suggests military leadership, although the young emperor abandoned Marcus’s war against Germanic tribes.

Imperial portraits influenced public opinion by sending a desired message (), such as strength, military experience, or wisdom. Many emperors, like Commodus, copied the smooth, idealized faces of heroes in Greek art. Other rulers emphasized life skills shown by age. An emperor’s portrait changed multiple times during his lifetime, often to recognize a special event. Commodus’s bust in honor of his rise to sole ruler was his fifth portrait.

Scholars describe the five rulers before Commodus as the “Five Good Emperors,” including his respected father. Unfortunately, Commodus became known as a bad emperor. Within two years, his sister tried to assassinate him. This made him suspicious of everyone. He survived another attempt on his life five years later. Over time, his behavior became cruel and bizarre. Commodus fought in the arena as a beast fighter and gladiator, which was considered disgraceful. He renamed Rome after himself, which offended many citizens. Finally, he began to present himself in sculpture as the hero Hercules. This was too much. A third effort to assassinate him in CE 192 succeeded. Commodus was only 31 years old when he died.