Commodus as Hercules

The man's perfectly curled ringlets, both on top of his head and on his dignified chin, are carefully carved into the smooth white marble. His face is calm, cool and collected even though he has just committed a feat of extreme bravery in the face of danger. The mouth of a ferocious lion, with teeth exposed and one fierce fang on either side, sits casually on top of the man's head, giving the illusion that the man's face is appearing in the middle of the lion's gaping mouth. Draped over his shoulders and tied around him like a sweater, the lion's defeated paws hang limply like a mocking trophy over the man’s chiseled chest. His right hand is beautiful and delicate although the weapon it holds is forceful and threatening. His weapon of choice is a club that probably knocked the sad beast out with a single blow. His power is in his stillness, his face and torso as cool as the marble from which it was created.