Commodus as Hercules
(Musei Capitolini, Roma)
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1.5: Commodus becomes emperor
[March 180]  During the next few days Commodus'
advisers kept him busy with his father's funeral rites; then they
thought it advisable to bring the youth into the camp to address the
troops and, by distributing money to them -the usual practice of those
who succeed to the throne- to win the support of the army.
 Accordingly, all the
soldiers were ordered to proceed to the assembly field to welcome them.
After performing the imperial sacrifices, Commodus, surrounded by the
advisers appointed by his father (and there were many learned men among
them), mounted the high platform erected for him in the middle of the
camp and spoke as follows:
 "I am fully
persuaded that you share in my grief over what has occurred, and that
you are no less distressed by it than I. At no time when my father was
with me did I see fit to play the despot with you. He took greater
delight, I am convinced, in calling me 'fellow soldier' than in calling
me 'son,' for he considered the latter a title bestowed by Nature, the
former, a partnership based on excellence. While I was still an infant
he often brought me to you and placed me in your arms, a pledge of the
trust he had in you.
 And for that reason I
have every hope that I shall enjoy your universal good will, since I am
indebted to you old soldiers for rearing me, and I may properly call
you young soldiers my fellow students in deeds of arms, for my father
loved us all and taught us every good thing.
 To follow him, Fortune
has given the empire not to an adopted successor but to me. The
prestige of those who reigned before me was increased by the empire,
which they received as an additional honor, but I alone was born for
you in the imperial palace. I never knew the touch of common cloth. The
purple received me as I came forth into the world, and the sun shone
down on me, man and emperor, at the same moment.
 And if you consider
the matter properly, you will honor me as an emperor born to you, not
presented to you. Assuredly, my father has gone up to heaven, where he
is already companion and counselor of the gods. But it is our task to
devote ourselves to human affairs and to the administration of earthly
matters. To set these affairs in order and make them secure is for you
to undertake, if with resolute courage you would finish what is left of
the war and carry forward to the northern seas the boundaries of the Roman empire.
 These exploits will indeed bring you renown,
and in this way you will pay fitting respect to the memory of our
mutual father. You may be sure that he hears and sees what we do. And
we may count ourselves fortunate to have such a man as a witness when
we do what has to be done. Up to now, all that you have courageously
accomplished is attributable to his wisdom and his generalship. But
now, whatever zeal you display in further exploits under me, your new
emperor, will gain for you a reputation for praiseworthy loyalty and
bravery. By these dauntless exploits you will confer upon us added
dignity.
 Crushed at the
beginning of a new imperial reign, the barbarian will not be so bold to
act at the present, scorning our youth, and will be cautious and
fearful in the future, mindful of what he has suffered."
After he had finished his speech, Commodus won the support of the
army by a generous distribution of money and returned to the imperial
quarters.
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