Yellow Sapphire Gemstone of Commodus in Later Gold Mount
Roman, 2nd century A.D. or later. The naturalistic pale yellow Sapphire engraved with the bust of the emperor in profile right. 4.93 grams, 24 mm (1 in.). Acquired in the 1980s. Ex European collection. Private collection of a London antiquarian. The reign of Commodus (177-192 A.D.) is typically associated with the end of the period in Roman history, the golden era of peace. He initially reigned jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius (177-180 A.D.), and later alone. Commodus cultivated a personality cult which culminated in his performance as a gladiator in the Colosseum. He was eventually assassinated by a wrestler in the baths, marking the end of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax.