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Commodus

American  
[kom-uh-duhs] / ˈkɒm ə dəs /

noun

  1. Lucius Aelius Aurelius a.d. 161–192, Roman emperor 180–192; son and successor of Marcus Aurelius.


Commodus British  
/ kəˈməʊdəs, ˈkɒmədəs /

noun

  1. Lucius Aelius Aurelius (ˈluːsɪəs ˈiːlɪəs ɔːˈriːlɪəs), son of Marcus Aurelius. 161–192 ad , Roman emperor (180–192), noted for his tyrannical reign

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When Marcus died three years later and Commodus took the throne, the era of the Good Emperors came to a disastrous end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

And there’s “Gladiator,” of course, in which Phoenix sulked up a storm as the Roman emperor Commodus, a performance that feels, in retrospect, like a petulant warm-up act for this movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2023

The original film won five Oscars, including best actor for Russell Crowe, who played Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius alongside Joaquin Phoenix as Emperor Commodus.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2023

In fact, its a nymphaeum – a fancy water feature belonging to the Emperor Commodus.

From National Geographic • Apr. 15, 2023

He also served Commodus, who was the son of Marcus Aurelius and became emperor when his father died in AD 180.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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