Commodus, Rome mint, 192 AD.,
Æ As (23-24 mm / 7.68 g),
Obv.: L AEL AVREL CO - [MM AVG] P FEL , head of Commodus in lion's skin to r.
Rev.: HER - CVL / RO - MAN / AV - GV / S - C, in four lines flanking club; all within wreath.
RIC 439, 644 ; BMC 844, 723 ; MIR 853 - 9 / 72 ; C. 193 .
Over the later part of Commodus' reign, numerous events suggest the emperor was becoming mentally ill. A number of sources tell us that Commodus thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules. It is said that in public spectacles he would dress in the manner of Hercules and bludgeon prisoners to death with a club. The evidence of coins such as the present example serve as irrefutable proof this particular story was at least based in fact.