Art Institute of Chicago

Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Commodus

Date

180, issued by Commodus

Medium

Gold

Culture

Rome

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

During the period of the five “Good Emperors,” succession was not hereditary. It was instead based on merit, with the current ruler formally adopting his successor. This pattern ended with Marcus Aurelius’s son, Commodus (reigned 177–92), who inherited the crown. He promptly abused his power and died a tyrant’s death. The Severan dynasty followed with the rise to power of Septimius Severus. His two sons, Caracalla and Geta, were proclaimed co-emperors upon his death. Within a year the conflict between the brothers resulted in Caracalla (reigned 211–17) killing Geta in order to rule alone. The front (obverse) of this coin portrays Emperor Commodus facing right. He is laureate and wears a cuirass and paludamentum (breastplate and miiltary cloak). The back (reverse) of the coin depicts Liberalitas holding an abacus in right hand, a cornucopia in left.

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