Gladiator II

Maximus ' bequest looms large inGladiator II , but there ’s a reason why his name was spoil out on the rampart of the gladiator compound . Russell Crowe does not return as Maximus Decimus Meridius in theGladiatorsequel , as Paul Mescal steps into the lead part asMaximus ' Logos Lucius . This give Maximus a major purpose to act as inGladiator 2without physically being present . Many of the master fibre have some connection to Maximus , and the conversant Roman Colosseum setting at the sum gives Ridley Scott a hazard to dilate on his story even after his expiry inGladiator ’s ending .

One of the most intriguingreferences to Maximus inGladiator 2comes with a wall within the prizefighter chemical compound . One paries has been transformed over time to be a record of the most notable gladiator who have defend in the arena . Names of several scrapper can be seen , butLucius take notice of one name that has been crossed out . It ’s later support by the doctor Ravi that the original name in this spot was Maximus . However , Gladiator 2doesn’t to the full explain the reason why this was done in the twelvemonth afterGladiator .

Maximus' Name Was Likely Crossed Out Because He Killed Commodus In Gladiator

His Behavior Set A Dangerous Precedent

The most potential account for Maximus ' name being removed from the wall inGladiator 2is that it was a upshot of him kill Commodus . There was an mind in Ancient Rome known as damnatio memoriae , which means " condemnation of remembering " or " damnation of memory . " The finish here is to whole efface the record of a person , typically a former emperor , by deepen statues , take their epithet from document and artefact , and so on . In literal Roman history , Commodus andGladiator 2 ’s emperor Getaare a few example of emperor moth whose rules were capable todamnatio memoriaelater on .

Gladiator ’s main villain , Emperor Commodus , satisfy his goal at Maximus ’ men in the picture show , but what happened to the real - lifetime figure who inspired him ?

It would seem that the Senate that took power after Maximus and Commodus died - and Lucius was sent away - wanted to ensure that the musical theme of killing an participating emperor moth is not something to be fete . Institutingdamnatio memoriaefor Maximus would have been one way to do this . This would let in removing his name from what efficaciously acts as the prizefighter ’s bulwark of accolade . It would still make sense for Rome ’s emperor after Commodus to try and rub out Maximus from history beforeGladiator 2 ’s endingand Lucius proudly extol his connection to the famous former general .

Gladiator II Official Poster

How Gladiator 2 Proved Maximus Was Still Celebrated

Maximus Wasn’t Completely Erased From History

Maximus ' name might have been removed from the wall inGladiator 2 , but the movie affirms that he was still celebrated by the living afterward . Ravi hold Lucius to a secret undercover burial site below the hold cells and sphere that roleplay as an honorary grave for the most legendary gladiators . This is confirmed to include Maximus , as his sword and armor are proudly presented on the wall and his name cipher below . Maximus ' hide sepulture is a chance for the gladiators to celebrate those who otherwise could have been forgotten or erase from history .

The existence of this secret site would not predominate out the probability ofdamnatio memoriaeeither . This would seem to be a emplacement that very few people know about , so it would not be on any official record . The gladiators even could have moved to create this memory of Maximus as a result of the government ordering for his name to be cross out on the rampart . This would allow them to legally survey their order but still honor one of the bravest gladiator to fight in the Colosseum ahead ofGladiator II .

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Cast

Russell Crowe as Maximus in Gladiator and Paul Mescal as Lucius in Gladiator 2

Lucius (Paul Mescal) looking at his father Maximus' armor and sword in Gladiator II

Headshot Of Paul Mescal In The 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Movies

Gladiator II