Commodus became the Augustus at the age of 15
One of the "excellent" emperors, along with Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antonius Pius, was Marcus Aurelius. The only emperor to have a legal biological son was him. Because Commodus was the only son "born in the purple," that is, during his father's rule, Marcus had a strong desire to make him his heir. Marcus Aurelius was anxious to make sure that the path of imperial succession was clear after suffering the loss of one son. To protect the citizens of Rome and the soldiers in the provinces, he implemented a variety of measures.
When Commodus was just 11 years old, he is believed to have accompanied his father on a campaign at Carnuntum in AD 172. (in the east of modern Austria). During the Marcomannic War, this served as the emperor's headquarters while he fought several Germanic tribes who had made inroads. Commodus received the title Germanicus alongside his father in October of the same year in the army’s presence. He had already begun to establish himself as the army's commander and as a triumphant Roman general.
On November 27, 176, Commodus received the title "Imperator" from his father, Marcus. Commodus obtained tribunal authority in December of the same year, making him the console for the first time on 1 January 277. The youngest console in Roman history up to that point, he was just 15 years old. Commodus was given the title "Augustus" in the middle of the year 177 AD, giving him parity with his father Marcus. Following that, Commodus wed Bruttia Crispina. At the age of 18, Commodus succeeded Marcus as the only emperor of Rome after the latter's passing on March 17, 180.
