Bust of Commodus

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Bust of Commodus

• c. AD 190

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But first...a list of Emperors

• Trajanic Dynasty
• Nerva AD96-98
• Trajan AD98-117
• Hadrian AD117-138
• Antonine Dynasty
• Antoninus Pius AD138-161
• Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180
• Lucis Verus AD161-169
• Commodus AD177-192
• Severan dynasty
• (11 emperors)
• Emperors during the height of crisis AD 235-268
• Philip the Arabian
• Many others (constant change)
• Constantine AD 337-307

• Julio-Claudian dynasty
• Augustus 27BC- AD14
• Tiberius AD14 - 37
• Caligula AD37 41
• Claudius AD 41- 54
• Nero AD54- 68
• Year of 4 emperors
• (AD 68 AD69)
• Galba
• Otho
• Vitellius
• Flavian Dynasty
• Vespasian AD69-79
• Titus AD79-81
• Domitian AD 81-96

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Details about Commodus

• 1.18 metres high
• Son of the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He
  was born AD 161 and reigned from AD 177 (the
  first 3 years reigning with his father) until he
  was strangled in AD192
• This comparison with the legendary Hercules is
  explicit, whereas Augustus linking himself to
  Aeneas is more subtle

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Symbol Hercules lion skin (from the 1st of the
12 labours, killing the Nemean Lion)
Symbol Hercules club. Here is smaller than
Hercules, more a prop than a weapon
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Symbol Girdle of Hippolyta (Amazon queen). The
9th labour. He killed her defeated the Amazons
Symbol Amazon woman represents the killing of
the amazon women, and Commodus defeated Romes
enemy who lived in the place the amazons once
did. There Should be an amazon woman on both
sides, but broken.
Symbol Apples of the Herispides. (the 11th
labour) Stolen from the tree at the worlds end.
Tree was guarded by the dragon, Ladon and by the
Herispides (the daughters of night and Erebus).
Apples represent immortality. Commodus believed
he deserved this for defeating Romes enemy
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Symbol Amazon sheild has a gorgon medusa head on
it, referring to a greek myth
Symbol Cornucopiae, a horn of plenty full of
fruit, representing prosperity, fertility and
abundance. Represents the new golden age that
Commodus has brought
Symbol Orbis Terrarum (orb of the world) Has a
band across it, which shows signs of the zodiac,
taurus (bull), capricorn (goat), and scorpio
(scorpian) important moments in Commodus life
Symbol Rosettes on orbis terrarum (orb of the
world) represent stars
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The eyes- incised ring for the iris, heavy
eyelids droop over iris. He glances to the left,
an arrogant attitude, turns his head away from
the viewer Eyes upturned with arched
eyebrows. All combines to create a sense of
Sleepy Sensuality
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Antonine Baroque style This image has
characteristics of his father, Marcus Aurelius
The hair heavy eyelids. His hair deeply
drilled, detailed has contrasts of light and dark
areas, to create shadows on the work. His hair
contrasts with the smooth highly polished skin
creating a theatrical effect The textured hairy
paws of the lion skin contrast the polished
smooth musculature of his torso Upper torso is
Precariously balanced on the base Shows him as
powerful, arrogant, god-like, idealised.
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• Interesting Megalomaniac Facts
• Called himself Amazonius in his Last years
• His reign was marked by vicious brutality and
  decadent self-indulgence
• He thought he was an incarnation of the god
  Hercules
• Fought as a gladiator in the arena, dressed as
  Hercules
• This bust was created while he was still alive
• Destroyed the social and political stability that
  Rome had experienced for 60 years
• After his death Rome went into civil war

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Work to do

• Art of the Roman Empire ( Paul Artus Study
  Notes) p. 84
• Roman Art and Architecture (Johnathan
  Campbell) p. 32
• Workbook, p.