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2.8 Becoming a god<br />

emperors divine status; for Hercules himself was originally, so it was said, a<br />

mortal hero who achievedúxc rank of a god at his 'death'. Height, 1.18 m.<br />

See further: for the association of Commodus and Hercules, Vol. 1, 210;<br />

Beaujeu (1955) 400-10; Speidel (1993); for the sculpture and its context,<br />

Stuart Jones (1926) 139-42*; Fittschen and Zanker (1985) 85-90; TranquUle<br />

dimore(l986) 37-56, 88-91; D. Ε. E. Kleiner (1992) 276-7*.<br />

1. Club and lionskin of Hercules.<br />

2. In Commodus/Hercules' hand, the golden applcs of die Hesperides - which Hercules<br />

retrieved as one of his labours.<br />

3. Globe, surrounded by a zodiacal band - showing Taurus, Capricorn and Scorpiu. The<br />

exact reference of these signs is uncertain; they presumably alluded to particularly<br />

important dates in Commodus' life and career. See Hannah (1986).<br />

4. Crescent shicld, with points ending in eagles' heads: a type particularly associated with<br />

Amazons, the mychical race of warrior women. Towards the end of his life Commodus<br />

took the title Amazonius.<br />

5. Crossed cornucopiae, heaped with fruit, symbolizing plenty.<br />

6. Fcinale figure, pcrhaps an Amazon; the matching figure on the right is lost.<br />

53

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