Emperor Commodus never was fond of the senatorial order, leading to the conviction of many senators. At certain games, he tried to prove his marksmanship.
The Roman historian – Cassius Dio mentions that the emperor shot the ostrich heads with a bow, which he then carried around the arena. In his left hand, he held shot and severed heads, while in his right he held a bloody sword.
Commodus flaunted the loot in front of the tribunes where members of the Senate sat. Cassius mentions the smile on his face and the contempt in the eyes of the ruler, who supposedly was ready to kill any senator for one evil look and behaviour.
