COMMODUS (L. Aurelius Antoninus), son of
M. Antoninus, succeeded his father in the Roman
empire. He was naturally cruel and fond of indulg-
ing his licentious propensities. He wished to be cal-
led Hercules; and, like that hero, he adorned his
shoulders with a lion's skin, and armed his hand with
a knotted club. He publicly fought with the gladi-
ators, and boasted of his dexterity in killing the wild
beasts in the amphitheatre. He required divine ho-
nours from the senate, and they were granted. He
was wont to put such an immense quantity of gold
dust in his hair, that when he appeared bare-headed in
the sunshine, his head glittered as if surrounded with
sun-beams. Martia, one of his concubines, whose
death he had prepared, poisoned him; but as the poi-
son did not quickly operate, he was strangled by a
wrecker. He died in the 31st year of his age, and
the 13th of his reign. It has been observed, that he
never trusted himself to a barber; but always burnt
his beard, in imitation of the tyrant Dionysius.
A. D. 192.