Tasting History with Max Miller · Video summary
The Last Meal of the Evil Emperor Commodus
In this episode of Tasting History with Max Miller, the story of the evil emperor Commodus unfolds, detailing his tyrannical reign, obsession with gladiatorial games, and ultimately, his poisonous demise at the hands of his mistress. Max also prepares a dish inspired by Commodus' last meal, showcasing flavors from ancient Roman cuisine.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- Commodus was one of the most wicked emperors in ancient Rome, known for his tyrannical rule and obsession with gladiatorial games.
- His demise was orchestrated by his mistress and advisers, who poisoned his last meal of beef before strangling him in the bathtub.
- The dish prepared in the video, inspired by Commodus' last meal, includes ancient Roman flavors such as garum and defutum, showcasing the unique taste of that era.
- Most accounts of Commodus' reign are based on biased historical sources, leading to a potentially skewed perception of his character and legacy.
- Commodus was the first emperor born in the purple, meaning he was born to a reigning emperor, which shaped his entitlement and approach to leadership.
- Try making the ancient Roman dish inspired by Commodus' last meal using ingredients like beef, honey, and garum to explore historical flavors.
Chapters
- 0:00👑 Introduction to Commodus
- 0:30🍽️ Last Meal Preparation
- 2:00🧑🍳 Cooking the Dish
- 4:57📜 Historical Context
- 8:09👶 Commodus' Early Life
- 10:48⚔️ Military Campaigns
- 13:05⚖️ Rise of Favoritism
- 15:48🔪 Assassination Attempts
- 17:50🔥 Commodus' Tyranny
- 21:01🎭 Public Perception
- 23:14🏛️ Divine Claims
- 25:32🗡️ Gladiatorial Games
- 29:01☠️ Final Assassination
- 37:23🥩 Dish Completion
- 38:50👍 Taste Test
- 42:30💻 Closing Remarks
The digest
Emperor Commodus, one of ancient Rome’s most notorious rulers, met his demise through poison and strangulation, reflecting a dramatic and violent end to his reign. This exploration examines his life, governance, assassination, and culminates in the preparation of a reconstructed recipe for a beef dish similar to what may have been Commodus’ last meal. The content combines detailed historical narrative with culinary reconstruction based on an ancient Roman cookbook, making it valuable for history enthusiasts, culinary historians, and those interested in Roman culture.
Commodus: The Emperor and His Reign (00:00–15:20)
Commodus ruled during a pivotal moment in Roman history and was infamous for his cruelty and erratic behavior, often portrayed as a villain in popular culture, such as the movie Gladiator. The real Commodus, historians argue, was even more tyrannical, notorious for his paranoia, decadence, and violent outbursts.
- Background and Ascension: Born in 161 AD, Commodus was the first emperor “born in the purple,” meaning he was the biological son of an emperor (Marcus Aurelius) and designated heir from birth—a rarity in Roman tradition where adoption was common for succession. Originally sworded as co-emperor at 16, he fully inherited the throne after his father’s death during the Marcomannic Wars.
- Personality and Rule: Unlike his prudent father, Commodus disliked warfare and aimed to live a lavish, carefree life in Rome. His disdain for governance led him to elevate favorites, many of whom were low-born or freedmen, undermining senatorial authority and fostering corruption. His paranoia following multiple assassination attempts drove him to execute many, often on dubious grounds.
- Notorious Behavior: Commodus indulged in extravagance, particularly his obsession with baths—sometimes bathing seven to eight times daily—and gladiatorial games, in which he personally participated. Ancient sources suggest he fought unfairly or forced disabled men into deadly games, and even engaged in staged animal hunts, showing both his cruelty and desire for spectacle.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 5-minute article, 5 more sections, and every new episode from Tasting History with Max Miller and the creators you follow.
- Assassination Attempts and Fall (09:40–22:30)
- Ancient Roman Beef with Sweet and Sour Sauce: Recipe Reconstruction (01:10–04:36; 23:20–25:40)
- Source Criticism and Historical Context (05:57–09:39; 15:20–19:20)
- Practical Implications & Takeaways
- Action-Oriented Summary
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