Final answer:
Commodus was born in 161 CE, became co-emperor in 177 CE alongside his father Marcus Aurelius, and was assassinated in 192 CE.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commodus was born on August 31, 161 CE, became co-emperor in 177 CE, and died on December 31, 192 CE. Marcus Aurelius chose his son Commodus as his successor, marking a departure from the practice of selecting competent heirs. Commodus was the first natural-born son of an emperor of the Five Good Emperors to reach adulthood, prompting Aurelius's decision.
As emperor, Commodus indulged in personal pleasures, neglected state affairs, and was eventually assassinated after a reign filled with mismanagement and decadence, which contrasted sharply with his father's diligent and philosophic governance.
His reign was marred by mismanagement and decadence, a stark departure from his father's philosophical and diligent governance. The stark contrast in leadership styles contributed to internal strife, and Commodus was eventually assassinated in 192 CE, marking the end of a troubled chapter in Roman history.