Commodus Assassin Gave Warning Speech

In 182 AD, a conspiracy to assassinate Roman Emperor Commodus failed because the would-be assassin revealed himself before carrying out the attack. As Commodus entered a public area, the attacker stepped forward with a weapon but paused to deliver a dramatic declaration: "This is what the Senate sends you!" The theatrical outburst gave the emperor's guards time to react. Members of the Praetorian Guard immediately disarmed and seized the assassin before he could strike.

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