I just recently obtained a Commodus as Hercules As and then did my research concerning everything I could find concerning this phase of his rule. It's somewhat confounding that the so called 'Passage of Commodus' (it was dug under Domitian) still hasn't been fully explored or excavated to this day. I guess the Italians are so used to Roman ruins that there is no sense of urgency or curiosity concerning areas that haven't been completely excavated. (See the tunnel from the Ludus Magnus to the Colosseum for example.) Please post your Commodus coins. Ruler: Commodus (Augustus) Coin: F+ Bronze AS L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL - Head right wearing in lion skin of Hercules. HER-CVL / RO-MAN / AV-GV / SC - HERCVL ROMAN AVGV S C in four lines to left and right of upright Club of Hercules, all within laurel wreath. Exergue: Mint: Rome (192 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 7.99g / 24.81mm / 12h References: RIC III 644 Cohen 193 BMC 722,725 Sear 5864 The Passage of Commodus: The upper foundation of the Colosseum is crossed by five tunnels, with the four main tunnels, contemporary to the construction, located along the two main axes of the monument, while the fifth tunnel was built later. The four main tunnels divide the upper foundation into four sectors, which in turn were possible sub-divided along radial and elliptic directions by formworks during the construction phase. The fifth tunnel, named "Passage of Commodus", was dug under Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD), as a private passage for the emperor, directly connected to the imperial residence. The passage is radial-directed and extends for about 60 m from the arena towards south, with a final east-directed part out- side the foundation. The ceilings are brick-made barrel vaults and both walls and ceilings were originally covered with a thick layer of mortar. However, over time it has been partially removed [La Regina 2001] and nowadays the walls are rough surfaces. Two major earthquakes which occurred in 1349 and 1703 [Molin and Guidoboni 1989], caused the collapse of a large part of the external ring in the southern sector of the Colosseum above the area where the Passage of Commodus is located'
Interesting write-up on the passage! Well-done! My latest Commodus: Commodus, AD 177-192. Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g, 18 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 180. Obv: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: LIB AVG TR P V IMP IIII COS II P P, Liberalitas standing left, holding tessera and cornucopiae. Refs: RIC 10a; Cohen 301; BMC 4. Notes: Quite scarce with this bust type.
This coin is a symbol of Commodus' madness. He renamed the months after his several honorific names and titles. April became Commodus. And Rome was named Colonia felix Commodiana. RIC III, 251; C. 190; BMCR 339 As often on small flan.
Very interesting. I had never heard of this tunnel. And congrats on joining the mad Commodus as Hercules "club" (pun intended). I acquired one not long ago myself that I am quite proud of. Though it's nothing compared to the BEAST that @Curtisimo has! It's show cased in his best of 2018 thread. Here's mine:
