As time went on, Commodus became obsessed with his own importance. After ruling for 12 years, he wanted to reduce the power of the senate by taking the top office of Consul, too. His mistress Marcia and a senator named Laetus feared for their lives, and decided it was time for him to die. They had Commodus poisoned and then stragled in the bath by the powerful athlete Narcissus.
Commodus vicious acts in the arena that few emperors ever fought as gladiators again.