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Lot Essay
The son of the emperor Septimius Severus, Marcus Aurelius Antonius (AD.188-217), better known as Caracalla, was himself emperor from AD.211 to 217. He campaigned first in Germany and then in the East, where he hoped to repeat the conquests of Alexander the Great, but was assassinated in Mesopotamia. By an edict of 212, he granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire.
Commodus, born in AD.161 and son of Marcus Aurelius, became emperor in AD.180 after the death of his father. He quickly abandoned himself to a life of luxury and debauchery. He was said to have a harem of 300 concubines and 300 young boys; some bought, some kidnapped, from various walks of life. He soon began to show signs of megalomania and demanded from the Senate that they deify him as a living god. Thus, identifying himself as Hercules son of Zeus, Commodus took to wearing a lion skin and carrying a club on public occasions. He was finally strangled in AD.192.
Commodus, born in AD.161 and son of Marcus Aurelius, became emperor in AD.180 after the death of his father. He quickly abandoned himself to a life of luxury and debauchery. He was said to have a harem of 300 concubines and 300 young boys; some bought, some kidnapped, from various walks of life. He soon began to show signs of megalomania and demanded from the Senate that they deify him as a living god. Thus, identifying himself as Hercules son of Zeus, Commodus took to wearing a lion skin and carrying a club on public occasions. He was finally strangled in AD.192.