Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
The worst Emperor? Responsible for the decline?
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="GinoLR, post: 8546552, member: 128351"]Commodus was emperor from the age of 16 to his death at the age of 31. He has been vilified by ancient historians or biographers. Sure, he was not popular among intellectuals who wrote books, and this opinion was endorsed by a late 18th c. historian, Gibbon. Is it enough for us, people of the 21st c., to label him the "worst emperor"? </p><p><br /></p><p>What can be used against him?</p><p>He was never adopted for his personal merit, he was the biological son of his predecessor Marcus Aurelius. </p><p>Unlike his dad ( a "good emperor"), he never wrote a book of philosophy. </p><p>He did not launch any all-out war against the Western Barbarians or the Parthian Empire.</p><p>He had his wife Crispina banished to Capri and assassinated. Not a gentleman. </p><p>He loved to perform in the Colosseum and his appearances were rather popular among the mob. </p><p>He died w/o having named a successor, and his death caused a mess. </p><p><br /></p><p>He was probably too young to be sole emperor : Trajan had been Augustus at the age of 46, Hadrian at 41, Antoninus Pius at 52, Marcus Aurelius at 40... Commodus was associated with his father at 16, sole emperor at 19, and when he died he was only 31, an age for being Tribune, a lower magistrate... </p><p><br /></p><p>Perhaps the only emperor who has to be blamed for all the trouble caused by his son was Marcus Aurelius?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="GinoLR, post: 8546552, member: 128351"]Commodus was emperor from the age of 16 to his death at the age of 31. He has been vilified by ancient historians or biographers. Sure, he was not popular among intellectuals who wrote books, and this opinion was endorsed by a late 18th c. historian, Gibbon. Is it enough for us, people of the 21st c., to label him the "worst emperor"? What can be used against him? He was never adopted for his personal merit, he was the biological son of his predecessor Marcus Aurelius. Unlike his dad ( a "good emperor"), he never wrote a book of philosophy. He did not launch any all-out war against the Western Barbarians or the Parthian Empire. He had his wife Crispina banished to Capri and assassinated. Not a gentleman. He loved to perform in the Colosseum and his appearances were rather popular among the mob. He died w/o having named a successor, and his death caused a mess. He was probably too young to be sole emperor : Trajan had been Augustus at the age of 46, Hadrian at 41, Antoninus Pius at 52, Marcus Aurelius at 40... Commodus was associated with his father at 16, sole emperor at 19, and when he died he was only 31, an age for being Tribune, a lower magistrate... Perhaps the only emperor who has to be blamed for all the trouble caused by his son was Marcus Aurelius?[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
The worst Emperor? Responsible for the decline?
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...