Bust of Commodus as Hercules
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Bust of Commodus as Hercules

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This marble bust (c. 192 AD) depicts Emperor Commodus as Hercules, wearing the Nemean lion’s skin and holding a club and the golden apples of Hesperides. These symbols reflect his self-identification with the Greek hero, representing strength and divinity. Created near the end of his reign, the sculpture illustrates Commodus’s erratic behavior and self-aggrandizement.