Narcissus (wrestler)

Roman wrestler and assassin of Emperor Commodus

Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a Roman athlete,[1][2] likely a wrestler,[3] from the 2nd century AD. He assassinated the Roman emperor Commodus in 192 AD.

## Life and work

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Narcissus was employed as a wrestling partner and personal trainer to Commodus in order to train him for his self-indulgent appearances in the Colosseum as a gladiator.[2][3]

In AD 192, several senators, led by Praetorian prefect Quintus Aemilius Laetus, recruited Narcissus to assassinate the emperor after a previous failed attempt by the conspirators.

On 31 December 192, Commodus's concubine[2] and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber.[4] Commodus was supposedly in a drunken stupor after Marcia had poisoned him[1] and Narcissus proceeded to strangle Commodus in his bathtub[1] or, according to Herodian, in his bed.[3]

## Death

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Narcissus was executed during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death.

## References

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1. ^ a b c Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book LXXII, pg. 117.
2. ^ a b c Lampridius, Historia Augusta. "Life of Commodus," pg. 306.
3. ^ a b c Herodian of Antioch, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession of Gordian III, I.i.; Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1.4.
4. ^ Wasson, David L. "Commodus". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22 November 2020.

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