Known as one of the most egotistical Roman emperors, Commodus famously commissioned statues depicting himself as the mythical hero Hercules. He regularly fought as a gladiator, and claimed to be the son of Jupiter. Ultimately his megalomania would be his downfall, when in 192, a conspiracy formed by his mistress and the praetorian prefect went into action.
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Aug 2024
Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor
<p>Known as one of Rome's worst emperors, Commodus is famed for both his infamy and bravado. Ascending the throne as a teenager, he dressed up as Hercules, fought as a gladiator in the Colosseum, and renamed Rome after himself. But who was the real Commodus? And was he really as ... Show More
54m 44s
Jan 2022
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 6 "The Reign of Commodus"
Marcus Aurelius was the last of the 'Good Emperors'. His son, Commodus, proved to be the exact opposite of his father. A bloodthirsty tyrant, his reign is often seen as marking the beginning of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.Support the showFor a free ebook, maps and bl ... Show More
20m 35s
Feb 2021
Elagabalus The Raunchy, Racy High Priest Who Became a Roman Emperor
Born Varius Avitus Bassianus, the emperor now known as Elagabalus scandalized ancient Rome with his constant displays of extravagance, his numerous sexual escapades -- and his insistence that all people worship the sun god Elagabal (represented by a mysterious black stone he brou ... Show More
53m 4s
Dec 2021
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 3 "Hail Caesar"
In this episode, we look at the collapse of the Roman Republic, and the man whose brilliance and whose greed for power, caused a crisis in the Roman world. This was Julius Caesar, the most famous Roman of all.Support the showFor a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website n ... Show More
20m 22s
Oct 2025
#572 | Caligula | Psychopath, Sadist, Emperor
In part one of our three-part series on "Tyrants of the Roman Empire," we'll meet Caligula, the notorious Roman emperor known for his cruelty and excess. Once hailed as a promising leader, Caligula's reign quickly devolved into a nightmare, filled with public executions and humil ... Show More
23m 6s
Jan 2024
Episode #195- How Bad Was Caligula? (Part I)
The Roman Emperor Gaius, better known by his childhood nickname Caligula, is often counted among the worst rulers in the history of the world. According to some ancient sources his tumultuous four year reign was defined by wonton cruelty, sadistic sexual excess, and unchecked bl ... Show More
1h 10m
