Commodus Roman Emperor

Commodus Roman Emperor, 180-192 AD.

A carved marble bust of the young Commodus 

AFTER THE ANTIQUE, by the WORKSHOP OF BARTOLOMEO CAVACEPPI (1719-1799), SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY
Depicted facing to dexter, on a circular marble socle

Provenance. Acquired by Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood (1882-1947) and by descent at Harewood House, Yorkshire.

Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus - more commonly known simply as Commodus, was the son of Marcus Aurelius and the last member of the Antonine dynasty of Roman emperors.

He assumed the imperial throne at the age of eighteen on the death of his father and quickly developed a reputation for megalomania and sexual depravity. He re-founded Rome and called it 'Colonia Commodiana', and had the months re-named after his various titles.

After several attempts on his life, Commodus was finally murdered during a coup which was organised by members of the Praetorian Guard, the imperial household, and his favourite concubine. Despite his reputation, Commodus was often re-created in the 18th century for members of the European aristocracy who visited Italy on the Grand Tour.

Size.

71H x 49W x 25D cm

Base diam 17 cm.