31 August – On this day

Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, better known as Commodus was born in Lanuvium the son of the warrior-philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius.Commodus was the first example of hereditary succession since Titus had succeeded to the principate after the death of Vespasian. His reign follows on from the period known as the reign of the five good emperors. Commodus is used by many as another example of the failure of hereditary succession (along with Caligula and Nero), Rome had done well under the five good emperors who had risen to the principle position in the Empire through recognition of their hard-work and quality.