Commodus as Hercules

279, Lot: 524. Estimate $100. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ As (23mm, 9.67 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. Head right, wearing lion skin headdress / Legend divided by club within laurel wreath. RIC III 644. Near VF, dark brown patina.

From the Bruce R. Brace Collection.

Over the later part of Commodus’ reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. A number of sources tell us that Commodus thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules. It is said that in public spectacles he would dress in the manner of Hercules and bludgeon prisoners to death with a club.