Commodus

Commodus, Lucius Aurelius, Roman emperor, was born in 161 A.D. at Lanuvium. He succeeded his father, Marcus Aurelius, in 180, and though brought up with great care he immediately gave way to every form of vice. Physically strong, he used to fight in the circus like a gladiator to show his prowess, and abandoned himself to gluttony and debauchery. Yet he assumed the title of Hercules Romanus, and sought to be worshipped as if he were a god. Many designs were plotted on his life; at length his mistress, Marcia, gave him poison and then had him strangled by a celebrated athlete in 192.