Explore the Symbolism of this artwork.
Here, the Roman Emperor has taken on the guise of the mythological hero, Hercules. He has been given the attributes of the hero: the skin of the Nemean lion placed over his head and his left arm, the club in his right hand, and the three golden apples of the Hesperides in his left hand. Each of these objects has been placed as a reminder of the hero's accomplishments, as well as allowing the Emperor to associate and refer to himself as the Roman Hercules.At the base of the sculpture, carved into the globe are the zodiacal signs of Taurus, Capricorn, and Scorpio. The meaning behind these symbols has been somewhat debated since the discovery of the sculpture, with interpretations ranging from purely astrological to calendric.
Evidence pointing towards the latter of these two ideas has been presented by Professor Robert Hannah of The University of Waikato, who suggested that these signs could represent the month of October, which the emperor had renamed after Hercules during his rule:In this way, the signs are interpreted as an indication of the month of October. October figured prominently at various stages of Commodus' life, and indeed was renamed after Hercules by the Emperor. This calendric interpretation can therefore be seen to emphasize the Herculean aspect of the portrait.
Other sources argue that the three signs instead are linked to the foundations of the city of Rome. In this case, Taurus refers the founding of Rome under Romulus, which took place traditionally on feast of the Parilia, the 21st of April; Capricorn represents Augustus, who regarded the sign as his; and finally Scorpio is the emperor himself, as the third "founder" of the city. This popular theory also can be seen as Commodus once more emphasizing his association with Hercules, as Scorpio falls in the month of October, which he had renamed after Hercules.Further decoration can be found surrounding the globe, from the kneeling Amazons to either side (one of whom has been lost), to the cornucopia entangled with a pelta. The pelta is decorated with eagles' heads and a Gorgoneion as symbols of the god Jupiter, the father of Hercules and tutelary god of Commodus. Believed to be for the purpose of celebration, this idea is furthered by the inclusion of two Tritons, which are believed to represent his apotheosis. Traces of gold on the two Triton figures suggest that the bust of Commodus was as well at least partially gilded.
zodiac Commodus Jupiter Amazons Gorgoneion sculpture Nemean lion Rome cornucopia pelta god Roman calendric Parilia The University of Waikato Romulus Hesperides apotheosis Taurus University of Waikato portrait astrological Augustus Triton Scorpio Capricorn Hercules