Commodus as Hercules

Here, the Roman Emperor has taken on the guise of the mythological hero, Hercules. He has been given the attributes of the hero: the skin of the Nemean lion placed over his head, the club in his right hand, and the golden apples of the Hesperides in his left.[6] Each of these objects has been placed as a reminder of the hero's accomplishments, as well as allowing the Emperor to associate and refer to himself as the Roman Hercules.[4]

At the base of the sculpture, carved into the globe are the zodiacal signs of Taurus, Capricorn, and Scorpio. The meaning behind these symbols has been somewhat debated since the discovery of the sculpture, with interpretations ranging from purely astrological to calendric.[7]

Evidence pointing towards the latter of these two ideas has been presented by Professor Robert Hannah of The University of Waikato, who has suggested that these signs could represent the month of October, which the emperor had renamed after Hercules during his rule:

In this way, the signs are interpreted as an indication of the month of October. October figured prominently at various stages of Commodus' life, and indeed was renamed after Hercules by the Emperor. This calendric interpretation can therefore be seen to emphasize the Herculean aspect of the portrait.[7]

Base of the bust, which includes the globe and zodiacal symbols. The now single Amazon figure, cornucopia, and pelta can also be seen.

Other sources argue that the three signs instead are linked to the foundations of the city of Rome. In this case, Taurus refers the founding of Rome under Romulus, which took place traditionally on feast of the Parilia, the 21st of April; Capricorn represents Augustus, who regarded the sign as his; and finally Scorpio is the emperor himself, as the third "founder" of the city. This popular theory also can be seen as Commodus once more emphasizing his association with Hercules, as Scorpio falls in the month of October, which he had renamed after Hercules.[7]

Further decoration can be found surrounding the globe, from the kneeling Amazons to either side (one of whom has been lost), to the cornucopia entangled with a pelta. Believed to be for the purpose of celebration, this idea is furthered by the inclusion of two Tritons, which are believed to represent his apotheosis.[4][5]

There is speculation about the Emperor's intent in creating depictions of himself as a godlike figure. Some sources say it was Commodus's desire to be not merely the protégé of Hercules, but a god, the incarnation, the epiphany of Hercules.[8] Others claim instead that he simply desired to be the center of attention and show his intense appreciation for games and spectacles.[4]

Archaeologist and museum director Mortimer Wheeler suggested that although the bust would have been made for Commodus or someone close to him at the court, and the mythological topic decided by the patron, the artist was deliberately subverting the flattering subject and casting the flamboyant emperor in an ironic light: the contrast between the trappings of Hercules, the real hero (lion hide and club, etc.), and the "effeminate" and self-obsessed emperor shown in stone here is too grotesque to be taken only as an idolizing portrait, and the hidden intention becomes ironic. "The sculptor must have felt very sure of his ground, protected by the blind vanity of his sitter".[9]

• Robert Hannah, The Emperor's Stars: The Conservatori Portrait of Commodus, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 90, No. 3, Jul. 1986
• Geoff W. Adams, The Emperor Commodus: Gladiator, Hercules or a Tyrant?, 2013
• M. P. Speidel, Commodus the God-emperor and the Army, The Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 83, 1993
• Olivier Hekster, A Companion to Marcus Aurelius, Chapter 14, The Roman Empire after his Death, 2012
• Ralf von den Hoff, Commodus als Hercules, 2005