The Last Rose of Rome - Commodus x Crispina fanfic

Tumblr dedicated to the Gladiator fanfic "The Last Rose of Rome", published on Archive of Our Own, which explores the relationship between Emperor Commodus and his wife Crispina.

[thelastroseofrome]

Alright, here’s the image I mentioned in the author’s notes for Chapter 17.

Among the portraits Marcus Aurelius carries with him, we can see Commodus, Lucilla, and another woman, who I assume must be his late wife and the mother of his children, Faustina the Younger.

As I mentioned in the author’s notes, Commodus’ appearance is quite interesting, so I thought it would make sense for Marcus Aurelius to have commissioned a portrait of Crispina on her wedding day, so that he could keep her present in his prayers as well.

[thelastroseofrome]

The last rose of Rome | Chapter 1

Characters/pairing: Emperor Commodus x Bruttia Crispina

“I did not need your roses anyway, you know?” Commodus said to the girl as Marcus Aurelius and his wife’s attention returned to their host. “In the imperial palace, we have dozens of rose bushes that are tended to daily: I am sure yours even had bugs…” The girl’s face contorted into a gesture of disgust and anger: how dare he say such a thing? “I took care of them myself; they do not have any bugs!” the girl retorted, feeling her cheeks burn and her chin trembling at the thought of passing by her rose bushes without any roses, thinking that it had not been worth cutting them for such an unpleasant child.

ao3

[periodcostumefantasylover]

Commodus white armor from Gladiator in 4k

[periodcostumefantasylover]

Commodus black armor in Gladiator 4k

[xplore-the-unknwn]

"Am I not Merciful?" - Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus (Gladiator, 2000)

Pt. 1, Pt. 2

[borgialucrezia]

HOLLIDAY GRAINGER as Lucrezia Borgia ↴ THE BORGIAS | Lucrezia's Wedding ( 1.04 )

[vieneri]

You are beautiful, Lucrezia Borgia... but even i, a simple Neapolitan prince, can tell that your beauty hides a design.

THE BORGIAS - 3.07: lucrezia's gambit

[vieneri]

One way or the other... i will send for you. Never fear.

the borgias - 3.01: the face of death

[borgialucrezia]

"She was beautiful, sophisticated, and had a free-spirited nature that rejected superstition." — Pietro Bembo's description of Lucrezia Borgia in a letter, included in the book 'The Life and Times of Lucrezia Borgia' (by Maria Bellonci)

[lucrezia-borgia]

Impossible loves. I am very much afraid they can become an addiction.

[dailyborgia]

THE BORGIAS ⤿ 3.08 | tears of blood

[ladyalatariel]

JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Commodus in Gladiator (2000) | dir. Ridley Scott

for @his-valyrian

[periodcostumefantasylover]

Commodus red toga in 4k

[prideandprejudice]

Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia in The Borgias (2011-2013)

[seaside-storm]

JOAQUIN PHOENIX as COMMODUS Gladiator (2000)