The main character Maximus is not real, however. Instead, the creation of this character is influenced by several different figures from Ancient Rome. The character of Maximus in Gladiator is mostly based on Roman generals, as well as the gladiators themselves and the life they led.
Maximus Decimus Meridius (his full name is stated only once in the film) is a fictitious character! Although he did not exist, he seems as if he could be be a composite of actual historical figures. In the film, Maximus was Marcus Aurelius' general.
Where Gladiator Takes Historical License. Gladiator significantly fictionalizes elements of the reign of both Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, notably in the former's death. Commodus didn't actually murder his father, with Marcus Aurelius dying during the Antonine Plague.
Maximus is a general in the professional Roman army (SPQR), but he was Spanish by birth. The Legions were open to any Roman citizen, not just native-born Romans. Since Spain was a Roman province at the time, it's very likely that Maximus was a Roman citizen as well as Spanish native.
Magnus Maximus (died Aug. 27, 388) was a usurping Roman emperor who ruled Britain, Gaul, and Spain from ad 383 to 388. A Spaniard of humble origin, Maximus commanded the Roman troops in Britain against the Picts and Scots.
It tells the story of Maximus, a Roman general turned gladiator who seeks to avenge the death of his family after they were killed by the malicious son of the emperor, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix). Though Gladiator features real historical figures, Maximus wasn't a real person.
Commodus was assassinated by the wrestler Narcissus in 192, ending the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. He was succeeded by Pertinax, the first claimant in the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.
While many moments in Gladiator are not accurate compared to real life, there are also several moments in the movie that reflect what really happened in Ancient Rome. While Maximus might not have been based on a real historical figure, he was based on many historical accounts of real gladiators and the lives they led.
In the same sequence, Maximus tells a mocking Quintus "dirt cleans off a lot easier than blood." Rubbing and smelling the dirt before each fight connects Maximus to his home and his family. Moreover, the ritual pushes Maximus through each deadly conflict.
Russell Crowe was 35 years old during the production of Gladiator, and his portrayal of Maximus Decimus Meridius garnered an Oscar win. The film featured a talented cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, who was 24 years old and received recognition for his role as Emperor Commodus.
Lesson Summary. Emperor Commodus was born in 161 CE. His father, Marcus Aurelius, made him Caesar at 5 years old and Co-Augustus at 17 to secure his succession. In 180 CE Commodus became the sole emperor of Rome.
With this disturbing knowledge, it makes rewatching the movie pretty much impossible. According to reports, over 100 horses were killed making gladiator epic Ben Hur, with the second-unit director reportedly ordered horses be shot and killed “if they limped,” without seeking veterinary care.
Tigris of Gaul was brought out of retirement by Emperor Commodus to fight the ex-general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Colosseum in 180 AD. He was announced as "The only undefeated Gladiator" by the host of the games, Cassius. Tigris of Gaul dual-wielded a sword and an axe in the battle.
She was an elder sister to later Emperor Commodus. Lucilla did have a past romance with Maximus, when they were both young and had not yet married. The relationship ended, however, and Maximus married and had a son, while Lucilla married, had a son and later was widowed.
Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome. His reign (161–180 CE) marked the end of a period of internal tranquility and good government. After his death the empire quickly descended into civil war. He has symbolized the Golden Age of the Roman Empire for many generations in the West.
Maximus was a Roman usurper (409–411) in Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, modern Spain and Portugal). He was declared emperor by the general Gerontius, who might have been his father.
Lucilla was the former lover of Russell Crowe's Maximus and Lucius is his son. In a recent interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Scott offered some brief insight into Mescal's character in the film which takes place almost two decades after the events of the original.
Soon after the battle, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was murdered by his own son and successor Commodus. Maximus realized this and declined to help Commodus leading the new Emperor to order Quintus to arrest and execute Maximus. Quintus had no choice but to obey and arrested Maximus telling him to not resist.
Latin initialism for "The Senate and People of Rome" SPQR are the initials of a Latin phrase Senātus Populusque Rōmānus. It means "The Senate and People of Rome". It refers to the government of the ancient Roman Republic.
After experiencing financial difficulties in the 2000s, DreamWorks Pictures—including the rights to Gladiator and the rest of the pre-2006 live-action film library—was sold to Paramount Pictures in 2006 and development on the sequel was halted.
Because Maximus was supposed to be from Merida, in Spain/Hispania. That is supposed to be the location of his farm. The clue is in his full name: Maximus Decimus Meridius (which means: from Merida). There were Roman citizens from all over the Empire, and Spain/Hispania was one of the oldest Roman provinces.
The Germanic king Odoacer defeated the Roman Empire in 476 AD. However, his invasion was simply the "straw that broke the camel's back". Rome had been in a state of decline for centuries and had suffered two previous sacks by Germanic tribes.
Resolution: Maximus turns Rome over to the Senate and frees the gladiators. He then dies, and the people honor him. He leaves behind him a Rome that is a better place, even for the gladiators. As Juba says in the final line, “Now we are free.”
Nero. It's for good reason that Nero is the most infamous of all Roman emperors. Ascending to the throne in 54 CE at the age of just 16, his 14-year reign was marked by a string of scandals, excesses, and atrocities — not to mention the murder of his mother (and Caligula's sister) Agrippina the Younger.
