The emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris), tells Maximus that he would like Maximus to succeed him upon his death and for Maximus to return power to the Senate, restoring the Roman Republic.

Who is the emperor in Gladiator based on?

Commodus was a terrible ruler by virtually any standard. His fictionalized depiction as a mad emperor in the film Gladiator actually plays down some of his less believable excesses while giving him a nobler death.

Who is the evil emperor in Gladiator?

Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, or just Commodus for short, is the main antagonist of the 2000 historic action film Gladiator. The son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Commodus wants to be seen as the most powerful Roman emperor of all time so he would be worshiped as a god. He was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.

Which Caesar is in the Gladiator?

Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of the Roman Empire (Caesar). He led a Twelve Year Campaign in Germania, and his legions there were commanded by the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius. He was murdered by his son, Commodus, because Marcus had instead appointed Maximus to be his successor.

Does Maximus become emperor in Gladiator?

At some point in 383 CE, Maximus was proclaimed emperor by his own troops. Soon after this, he crossed over into Gaul with his forces including a significant portion of the British military garrison to seize power.

Commodus: Emperor, Gladiator, Madman

24 related questions found

Who killed Maximus Decimus Meridius?

This morning, in Italy, FBI authorities arrested Joaquin Phoenix after he was found guilty of the murder of Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Roman Colosseum. The actor had managed to evade justice for 1840 years, which seems totally like a long time ago but it isn't.

Was there a Maximus Decimus Meridius?

Maximus Decimus Meridius: Maximus is an entirely fictitious character but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. He declared himself emperor shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle.

What is Maximus full name in gladiator?

Russell Crowe played the lead role in Gladiator (2000). Hollywood star Russell Crowe has revealed that his character, General Maximus Decimus Meridius wasn't initially going to be killed in the 2000 acclaimed hit Gladiator.

Who made gladiator?

Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film was co-produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures.

Is Lucius Maximus son?

While Crowe's Maximus character met his end in the classic original film, Gladiator 2 will follow the continuing story of Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), The youth was the nephew of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the weaselly son of Roman leader Marcus Aurelius who murdered his father seized the throne and ...

Who was the most loved Roman emperor?

1. Augustus (September 63 BC – 19 August, 14 AD) At the top of the list is a very obvious choice – the founder of the Roman Empire himself, Augustus, who has the longest reign of 41 years from 27 BC to 14 AD.

Who was emperor after Commodus?

Q: Who became emperor after Commodus? After the death of Commodus, Pertinax became emperor. He was an elderly senator who was chosen by the senate as emperor. However, his reign was short-lived because of the resentment he created through his reforms.

Who killed Aurelius?

In 178 CE, Aurelius defeated the Germanic tribes on the Danube and retired to winter quarters at Vindobona. He would die there two years later in March of 180 CE and was succeeded by Commodus.

Who was the final emperor of Rome?

Romulus Augustus, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed by Odoacer, a German barbarian who proclaims himself king of Italy.

Why didnt Quintus give Commodus a sword?

Why wouldn't Quintus allow Commodus a sword after he'd lost his own? ... Commodus may be emperor but in challenging Maximus to combat, he subjects himself to the same rules as his opponent. His only choices at that point are to retrieve the sword he lost or draw another weapon, and he chose the latter, only to be defeated.

Who was the best gladiator?

Spartacus is arguably the most famous Roman gladiator, a tough fighter who led a massive slave rebellion. After being enslaved and put through gladiator training school, an incredibly brutal place, he and 78 others revolted against their master Batiatus using only kitchen knives.

Why did Lucilla betray Cicero?

He brings word to Maximus that his army is camped outside Rome and awaiting his orders. When Commodus discovers his sister Lucilla's conspiracy, she betrays everyone to protect her son Lucius Veras. After Maximus makes his escape, Cicero is used as a decoy to lure him out in the open to be captured and is killed.

Did emperors fight as gladiators?

Several Roman emperors participated in staged gladiatorial bouts. Hosting gladiator games was an easy way for Roman emperors to win the love of the people, but a few took it a step further and actually participated in combat.

Who was the worst Roman emperor?

The 5 Worst Roman Emperors

• Caligula: 37 – 41 AD. Selected as emperor by his great uncle Tiberius, Caligula may have ordered his benefactor's suffocation. ...
• Nero: 54 – 68 AD. Nero mourning the mother he had killed. ...
• Commodus: 180 – 192 AD. ...
• Caracalla: 198 – 217 AD. ...
• Maximinus Thrax: 235 to 238 AD.

Is gladiator a true story?

Gladiator takes place in ad 180 and is loosely based on historical figures. Roman forces, led by the general Maximus (Crowe), defeat Germanic tribes, bringing temporary peace to the Roman Empire.

Was Spartacus a real person?

Spartacus was a Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt with an army numbering in the tens of thousands. ... Also, while Spartacus was a real person who has inspired revolutionaries and filmmakers, scholars do not have an abundant amount of information about him.

How is Lucilla related to Commodus?

Lucilla is the beautiful daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and sister of eventual Emperor Commodus. Lucilla did have a past romance with Maximus, when they were both young and had not yet married. The relationship however ended and Maximus married and had a son, while Lucilla married, had a son and later was widowed.

Why do they call him Spaniard in gladiator?

They call him The Spaniard because as far as they are aware, he was captured by slave traders in Spain (after his family is killed).