The Turning Wheel Podcast

Roman history fans know two things about Commodus: First, he was a horribly corrupt, psychopathic emperor. Second, he reigned at the end of the Pax Romana, and helped start Rome's slow decline towards eventual dissolution.

The Roman senator and historian Cassius Dio, who knew Commodus and his father, Marcus Aurelius, personally, tells us that with the ascention of Commodus that, "our history now descends from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust, as affairs did for the Romans of that day."

And enough other sources have spoken of Commodus's misrule and cruelty to leave of thinking that he was probably right. But can we be certain he was correct with his conclusions?

We know for certain that he probably made one choice, albeit for the wrong reasons, which probably contributed to to the Empire's longevity. And of his misdeeds? Just how impactful were they?

Today we're going to examine the life of Commodus. It's likely that he was indeed a bit of a psychopath, but what's more doubtful is if any of his actions really contributed to Rome's fall and the end of the Pax Romana.

Find out why in this episode.