
Commodus
An Emperor at the Crossroads
O. Hekster(Author)
jJ.C. Gieben, Uitgeverij (Publisher)
Published on 1. January 2002
Book
Leather / fine binding
284 pages
978-90-5063-238-6 (ISBN)
Description
The emperor Commodus (AD 180-192) has commonly been portrayed as an insane madman, whose reign marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Indeed, the main point of criticism on his father, Marcus Aurelius, is that he appointed his son as his successor. Especially Commodus' behaviour as a gladiator, and the way he represented himself with divine attributes (especially those of Hercules), are often used as evidence for the emperor's presumed madness. However, this 'political biography' will apply modern interpretations of the spectacles in the arena, and of the imperial cult, to Commodus' reign. It will focus on the dissemination and reception of imperial images, and suggest that there was a method in Commodus' madness.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Weight
726 gr
ISBN-13
978-90-5063-238-6 (9789050632386)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Olivier Hekster is professor at the Institute for Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies of the Radboud University Nijmegen.