10. He may have been crazed and wasteful of public money, but Commodus knew how to maintain his popularity through his generosity
Like many Roman Emperors, Commodus realized only too well that his power depended on the goodwill of the people. As the writings of Herodian noted, the Emperor would often hand out money in the center of Rome. At the same time, he would host lavish and extravagant events for the people. Quite literally, he engaged in the policy of keeping the people content and distracted with “bread and circuses”. Likewise, regular and generous payments to well-placed Legionnaires and generals reduced the risk of Commodus being killed by his own bodyguards, a fate that befell many an elite Roman, Emperors included.
So, how did Commodus pay for all this? One main way was to tax the Senate and its members. While this won him some enemies, the people – that is, the plebs – lapped it up. They welcomed the fact that they were being put first for once. To reinforce this idea, Commodus decreed that the traditional motto of Senatus Populusque Romanus (that is, powers deriving from the Senate and the People) be reversed. Even today, inscriptions reading Populusque Senatus Romanus remain, a sure sign that they were created as propaganda tools during the reign of Commodus.