Commodus was the son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and co-ruled with his father until the latter's death. Without his fathers steady hand, Commodus degenerated into debauchery and took part in gladiatorial fights were his opponents were armed with wooden swords. He also believed he was Hercules reborn and renamed Rome Colonia Commodiana, after himself! He was choked to death by a wrestler while in his bath and not killed in the arena by an ex-general called Maximus Decimus Meridius!