Plot To Assassinate Commodus
In light of her brother's unstable rule, in 182 Lucilla became involved in a plot to assassinate Commodus and replace him with her husband and herself as the new rulers of Rome. Her co-conspirators included Tarrutenius Paternus, the head of the Imperial Guard, her daughter Plautia from her first marriage, Quintianus’ nephew of the same name, and her paternal cousins the former consul Marcus Ummidius Quadratus Annianus and his sister Ummidia Cornificia Faustina.
Quintianus’ nephew, brandishing a dagger or sword, bungled the assassination attempt trying to kill Commodus. As he burst forth from his hiding place to commit the deed, Quintianus’ nephew boasted to Commodus "Here is what the Senate sends to you", giving away his intentions before he had the chance to act. Commodus's guards were faster than Quintianus, and the would-be assassin was overpowered and disarmed without injuring the emperor.
Commodus ordered the deaths of Quintianus’ nephew and of Marcus Ummidius Quadratus Annianus, and banished Lucilla, her daughter and Ummidia Cornificia Faustina to the Italian island of Capri. The Emperor sent a centurion to Capri to execute the three women later that year. Her son Pompeianus was later murdered by Caracalla.
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