Commodus as Hercules Romanus

Commodus (180–192 CE) fell into extreme megalomania by declaring himself the living embodiment of the demigod Hercules, eventually adopting the supreme title "Hercules Romanus".  He would go on to claim to be the son of Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Upon his ascension at age 18, Commodus devalued Roman coinage. He reduced the weight of the denarius from 96 per Roman pound to 105 per Roman pound (3.85 grams to 3.35 grams). He also reduced the silver purity from 79 percent to 76 percent – the silver weight dropping from 2.57 grams to 2.34 grams. In 186, he further reduced the purity and silver weight to 74 percent and 2.22 grams respectively. His reduction of the denarius during his rule was the largest since Nero's reign. Medallion of Commodus depicting him as Hercules, AD 192. Commodus's death marked the end of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.

The 'Commodus as Hercules' aureus is an iconic ancient Roman gold coin struck around 191–192 CE, late in his reign. It reflects Commodus’s spiralling megalomaniacal obsession that he was Herakles reincarnate. The coin's obverse features Commodus as Hercules, adorned with a lion-skin headdress. The reverse depicts a club, quiver, and the legend HERCVLI ROMANO AVG ("To Hercules, Roman Augustus").

Many aurei of Commodus are not really rare. But aurei showing Commodus as Hercules Romanus are extremely rare in top condition. In April 2025 such a coin hammered for 170,000 euros. In November 192, Commodus held Plebeian Games in which he fought as a gladiator dressed as Hercules, winning easily because his foes always submitted. He billed the Roman state 1 million sesterces per appearance to fight in the arena as 'Rome's Hercules'. He fought over 700 times and his exorbitant vanity fees drained the imperial treasury. He announced his intention to inaugurate the year 193 as both consul and gladiator on 1 January.

Commodus's mistress Marcia conspired with Praetorian prefect Laetus and chamberlain Eclectus. On 31 December, Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine, but he vomited up the poison, so the conspirators sent his wrestling partner Narcissus to strangle him in his bath. Upon his death, the Senate declared him a public enemy. (a de facto damnatio memoriae)