Weird History

The Real Commodus Was Even Crazier Than His 'Gladiator' Character (2022x6)

: 14, 2022

You likely know the name Commodus as the bad guy from Gladiator, the Best Picture winner from 2000. Played as a pervy psychotic by Joaquin Phoenix, Emperor Commodus is portrayed as a man with insecurities motivating his actions. And while that may be an accurate, historical understanding of the emperor's persona, there's a lot more to Commodus’ biography than the made-up bits starring Russell Crowe. But, who was Commodus?