Murder of Roman Emperor Commodus

Commodus, Roman Emperor and son of Marcus Aurelius, was assassinated in his palace in Rome. His death ended the Nerva–Antonine dynasty.

The emperor was strangled by his wrestling partner under orders from conspirators within the senate and the Praetorian Guard, fearing his erratic behavior and autocratic tendencies.

This assassination triggered a period of political instability that led to the Year of the Five Emperors.