Bust Bust of of

CommCommodusodusc. AD 190c. AD 190

But first...a list of But first...a list of EmperorsEmperorsJulio-Claudian dynastyJulio-Claudian dynasty

Augustus 27BC- AD14Augustus 27BC- AD14 Tiberius AD14 - 37Tiberius AD14 - 37 Caligula AD37 – 41Caligula AD37 – 41 Claudius AD 41- 54Claudius AD 41- 54 Nero AD54- 68Nero AD54- 68

Year of 4 emperors Year of 4 emperors (AD 68 –AD69)(AD 68 –AD69) GalbaGalba OthoOtho VitelliusVitellius

Flavian DynastyFlavian Dynasty Vespasian AD69-79Vespasian AD69-79 Titus AD79-81Titus AD79-81 Domitian AD 81-96Domitian AD 81-96

Trajanic DynastyTrajanic Dynasty Nerva AD96-98Nerva AD96-98 Trajan AD98-117Trajan AD98-117 Hadrian AD117-138Hadrian AD117-138Antonine DynastyAntonine Dynasty Antoninus Pius AD138-161Antoninus Pius AD138-161 Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180Marcus Aurelius AD161- 180 Lucis Verus AD161-169Lucis Verus AD161-169 Commodus AD177-192Commodus AD177-192

Severan dynastySeveran dynasty (11 emperors)(11 emperors)

Emperors during the height of Emperors during the height of crisis AD 235-268crisis AD 235-268

Philip the ArabianPhilip the Arabian Many others (constant change)Many others (constant change)

Constantine AD 337-307Constantine AD 337-307

Details about Details about CommodusCommodus 1.18 metres high1.18 metres high

Son of the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Son of the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He was born AD 161 and reigned from AD 177 He was born AD 161 and reigned from AD 177 (the first 3 years reigning with his father) until he (the first 3 years reigning with his father) until he was strangled in AD192was strangled in AD192

This comparison with the legendary Hercules is This comparison with the legendary Hercules is explicit, whereas Augustus linking himself to explicit, whereas Augustus linking himself to Aeneas is more subtleAeneas is more subtle

Symbol: Hercules club. Here is smaller than Hercules, more a prop than a weapon

Symbol:

Hercules lion skin (from the 1st of the 12 labours, killing the Nemean Lion)

Symbol:

Apples of the Herispides. (the 11th labour) Stolen from the tree at the world’s end. Tree was guarded by the dragon, Ladon and by the Herispides (the daughter’s of night and Erebus). Apples represent immortality. Commodus believed he deserved this for defeating Rome’s enemy

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 Rome’s enemy who lived in the place the amazons once did. There Should be an amazon woman on both sides, but broken.

Symbol:

Cornucopiae, a ‘horn of plenty’ full of fruit, representing prosperity, fertility and abundance. Represents the new golden age that Commodus has brought

Symbol:

Amazon sheild has a gorgon medusa head on it, referring to a greek myth

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

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

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.

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

Work to Work to do………do……… ““Art of the Roman Empire” ( Paul Artus Art of the Roman Empire” ( Paul Artus

Study Notes) p. 84Study Notes) p. 84

“ “ Roman Art and Architecture” (Johnathan Roman Art and Architecture” (Johnathan Campbell) p. 32Campbell) p. 32

Workbook, p. Workbook, p.