Where Is Commodus Mentioned In Meditations?

The Philosophical Emperor and His Thoughts

When folks hear the name Commodus, many immediately conjure up images of Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal in the blockbuster hit Gladiator. But hold your horses! Before diving into the juicy parts of history and philosophy, let’s clear up a common misconception. Commodus, despite his familial ties to a great Stoic philosopher, doesn’t actually find his name etched within the pages of Meditations, the renowned work penned by his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Now, you might be scratching your head, wondering, “Well, why the heck not?” Let’s unpack this riddle, shall we?

Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Behind the Meditations

First off, a bit of background for those not in the loop. Marcus Aurelius, aside from leading the Roman Empire, was a staunch student of Stoicism—a philosophy that emphasizes virtue, reason, and natural law, teaching that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Meditations, his claim to fame in the philosophical sphere, is a series of personal writings, laying bare his inner thoughts and reflections, primarily for his own use.

Now, it might seem odd that Commodus, being his son and successor, doesn’t get a shoutout in this personal tome. But here’s the kicker: Marcus Aurelius’ meditations were exactly that—personal. They were musings meant to guide himself toward a life of virtue and reason, a sort of self-help manual long before the term was coined. These writings were introspective, focusing on Marcus’s struggles, learnings, and Stoic practices. Given this context, the absence of Commodus or any direct mentions isn’t all that mysterious.

Commodus and the Path Less Virtuous

Turns out, Commodus was quite the character, but perhaps not in the way a Stoic would hope for. After his father’s death in 180 CE, Commodus took the reins of the empire but soon made it clear that his interests lay far from Stoic virtues. From fighting as a gladiator to renaming Rome after himself, his reign is often cited as the beginning of the Roman Empire’s decline.

So, while Meditations lacks shoutouts to specific individuals, including Commodus, insights into how Marcus Aurelius viewed leadership, morality, and virtue may well reflect his hopes or disappointments in his son. These texts underscore the importance of self-mastery, duty, and responsibility—traits that, from historical accounts, Commodus didn’t fully embody.

Finding Commodus in the Absence of Mentions

Curiously, the absence of Commodus in Meditations speaks volumes. It highlights the personal nature of the work and Marcus Aurelius’s focus on his own spiritual and philosophical growth. However, understanding the broader context of Marcus’s reign, his philosophical leanings, and the subsequent rule of Commodus, readers might speculate about the unspoken hopes, concerns, and perhaps unmet expectations of a father for his son.

In reading Meditations, while you won’t stumble upon Commodus by name, you’re given a front-row seat to the inner workings of a Stoic mind. You’re witnessing the philosophical underpinnings that likely shaped family dynamics and informed (or perhaps clashed with) Commodus’s upbringing. The real juice isn’t in the direct mentions but in reading between the lines, contemplating what Marcus Aurelius’s words might imply about his son and successor.

The Takeaway

So, next time Meditations falls into your hands, remember: its value isn’t just in the Stoic wisdom littered across its pages but also in its silence on certain matters, like Commodus. These omissions invite readers to ponder, speculate, and seek out the hidden connections between the personal musings of Marcus Aurelius and the historical actions of his son. The philosophical emperor, through his reflections, provides not just guidance for himself but a lens through which we can examine the complexities of fatherhood, leadership, and legacy in ancient Rome.