Was Commodus the Worst Emperor in Ancient Roman History?

In the competition for the worst Roman emperor of all time, some names stand out. Caligula, for example, whose debauchery and perversion are legendary to this day. Or Nero, who became famous for his cruelty and who, according to popular legend, only strummed his lyre while Rome burned to ashes. Then there’s Commodus, which handled all of that and more.

Reigning from AD 180 to 192, Commodus virtually ignored his official duties. Instead, he devoted himself to his harem of 300 women and as many men, played gladiator at the Colosseum in Rome, and ordered the execution of countless enemies, allies, and family members. When Rome burned on his watch, he not only made little effort to stop it, but insisted that the rebuilt city be renamed in his honor. He also believed himself to be the reincarnation of the mythological strongman Hercules.

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