A Transcendence of Roman Class Structure: Gladiator

In Director Ridley Scott’s blockbuster movie, Gladiator, he chronicles fabled and fictional Roman General Maximus’s journey as a gladiator while also displaying many prominent aspects of the Roman government, social structure, and culture. After Maximus conquers the last of the rebellious Germanic tribes, he is greeted with great admiration by the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Impressed by his general and in an aging state, Marcus Aurelius appoints Maximus as his successor over his own son, Commodus. Shown to be entitled and incompetent, Commodus is infuriated with this decision by his father, committing patricide in his rage and sending Marcus Aurelius to be executed. Marcus Aurelius heroically escapes his captors and heads to save his family in Spain but he is too late, finding them murdered by Praetorians. Maximus passes out and is enslaved by Proximo, a former gladiator who now buys and sells the fighters. Maximus soon emerges as his best fighter, winning over the local area’s fans and cementing himself as the man to beat. Proximo decides to bring his gladiator caravan to Rome, where they will have the opportunity to earn their freedom, as he did when he was granted it by Marcus Aurelius Their first competition is a reenactment of one of the battles of Carthage. They’re supposed to play the role of the losers, but end up destroying their competition under Maximus’s leadership. Commodus, who is at the games, is very impressed and goes down to meet the mysterious gladiator and then learns it is Maximus who he thought was dead. He can’t kill Maximus because he is a favorite of the crowd, so he sets him up for more and more challenging battles, hoping he will be killed. Maximus has pledged his revenge and works with Cicero and Commodus’s sister to round up a group to overthrow the evil emperor but this plot is thwarted by Commodus. Many of Maximus’s friends are killed or taken away, such as Proximo, Cicero, and Gracchus, and Maximus himself is recaptured while trying to escape. Commodus confronts Maximus and challenges him to a duel, but not before stabbing him so the odds are in his favor. Maximus eventually kills Commodus but also dies himself and the credits roll.

While the film mixes fact with fiction, it provides an interesting take on real events that occurred in the Roman empire. The viewer learns about culture and sport, as well as treachery in Roman bureaucracy while also following along with an animated storyline. The film leaves the viewer satisfied that justice has prevailed, while also leaving them wanting to learn more about Ancient Rome.