Narcissus (born 2nd century A.D.) was a

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

athlete,Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'', Book LXXII, pg. 117.Lampridius, ''Historia Augusta.'' "Life of Commodus," pg. 306. likely a wrestler,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. from the 2nd century AD. He assassinated the Roman emperor

Commodus Commodus (; ; 31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was Roman emperor from 177 to 192, first serving as nominal co-emperor under his father Marcus Aurelius and then ruling alone from 180. Commodus's sole reign is commonly thought to mark the end o ...

in 192 AD.

Life and work

Narcissus was employed as a wrestling partner and

personal trainer A personal trainer is an individual who creates and delivers safe and effective exercise programs for healthy individuals and groups, or those with medical clearance to exercise. They motivate clients by collaborating to set goals, providing m ...

in order to train him for his self-indulgent appearances in the

Colosseum The Colosseum ( ; , ultimately from Ancient Greek word "kolossos" meaning a large statue or giant) is an Ellipse, elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphi ...

as a

gladiator A gladiator ( , ) was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their ...

. In AD 192, several senators, led by

Praetorian prefect The praetorian prefect (; ) was a high office in the Roman Empire. Originating as the commander of the Praetorian Guard, the office gradually acquired extensive legal and administrative functions, with its holders becoming the Emperor's chief ai ...

Quintus Aemilius Laetus Quintus Aemilius Laetus (died 193) was a prefect of the Roman imperial bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, from 191 until his death in 193. He acceded to this position upon the deaths of his predecessors Regillus and Lucius Julius Vehili ...

, recruited Narcissus to assassinate the emperor after a previous failed attempt by the conspirators. On 31 December 192, Commodus's

concubine Concubinage is an interpersonal relationship, interpersonal and Intimate relationship, sexual relationship between two people in which the couple does not want to, or cannot, enter into a full marriage. Concubinage and marriage are often regarde ...

and conspirator Marcia poisoned Commodus's wine. The poison failed, so Narcissus entered Commodus's bedchamber. Commodus was supposedly in a drunken stupor after Marcia had poisoned him and Narcissus proceeded to strangle Commodus in his bathtub or, according to

Herodian Herodian or Herodianus () of Syria, sometimes referred to as "Herodian of Antioch" (c. 170 – c. 240), was a minor Roman civil servant who wrote a colourful history in Greek titled ''History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus'' (τῆς με ...

, in his bed.

Death

Narcissus was executed during the series of

civil wars A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.James Fearon"Iraq' ...

after Commodus's death.

References

Ancient Roman sportspeople Commodus 2nd-century births Year of death unknown Executed regicides Ancient Roman assassins Ancient Roman regicides 2nd-century Romans Sport wrestlers 2nd-century deaths {{AncientRome-bio-stub