Commodus. AD 177-192. AR Denarius (17mm, 2.80 g, 1h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL, head right, wearing lion skin headdress / HER-CVL/RO-MAN/AV-GV in three lines across field, divided by upright club; all within wreath. RIC III 251; BMCRE 339; MIR 18, 853-4/72; RSC 190. VF, a few minor edge splits.
Over the latter part of Commodus’ reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. A number of our 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.
