Narcissus (wrestler)
Roman wrestler and assassin of Emperor Commodus
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Life and work
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
Narcissus was executed during the series of civil wars after Commodus's death.[5]
