Gladiator
Gladiatorhas a large intermixture of characters , with some being fabricated creations for the cinema and others being base on tangible - living historical figure . Theactors inGladiatorbring to life the film ’s many fantabulous character reference , from Russell Crowe leading the story as Maximus Decimus Meridius to Joaquin Phoenix ’s portrayal of the villainous Roman Emperor , Commodus . Since the plastic film was released in 2000,Gladiator ’s historical accuracyhas been one of the primary talking points ; Some ignore the film due to its exaggerated aspects , while others assert true chronicle should not impact how heroic filmmaking is perceived .
Interestingly , this debate also dress down overGladiator II ’s story . In the discharge - up to the sequel ’s departure , many historians criticise it , and conductor Ridley Scott , for not staying steadfastly attached to historic accuracy in every sense . Regardless of these arguments , Gladiatorhas stood the test of time as one of the strongest movies of the 2000s , and one of the best of Scott ’s career . By the time ofGladiator ’s bittersweet ending , the film proved so resonant that many wondered which grapheme were based on real account and which were fabricated , link to the debates of the film ’s historical truth .
Maximus Decimus Meridius Is Based On Multiple Real People
Russell Crowe’s Character Has Several Influences
The tether ofGladiatoris Maximus Decimus Meridius , with his journey being the middle point of the full story . As such , one of the burning questions for many after the celluloid ’s conclusion is whether he was a real historical trope . As it turns out , Gladiator’sMaximus Decimus Meridius is not based on any one person . or else , Maximus ' quality was cheer by several real people from Romanic history , with dissimilar aspects of citizenry ’s life being combined into the central character ofGladiator .
Russell Crowe was not the only actor regard to play Maximus in Gladiator , and the other names in tilt would have each changed the moving-picture show .
Perhaps the most notable influence when make the character of Maximus was Marcus Nonius Macrinus . Not only does the latter share the former ’s triple - barreled name , but he was alive at around the same meter as Maximus is inGladiator . Similarly , Marcus Nonius Macrinus was a Roman general under the rule of Marcus Aurelius . Marcus Nonius Macrinus was said to be someone who was well - wish by Marcus Aurelius , with the latter often using the former as an consultant . InGladiator , Maximus is also a Roman general who Marcus Aurelius regard as a boy , often providing his consultant - alike opinion on political topic .
The concluding influence for Maximus ' character was Narcissus , the wrestling better half of Commodus …
One of the other real Roman figure that inspired the character of Maximus was Avidius Cassius , a general who once declare himself Emperor after receiving wrongful reports of Marcus Aurelius ' death . This somewhat links to Marcus Aurelius demand Maximus to be his successor inGladiator . The last influence for Maximus ' character was Narcissus , the grappling partner of Commodus , who eventually killed the real - animation Emperor . In the early drafts ofGladiator , Maximus was shout out Narcissus .
Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, & Lucilla Are Based On Real People
Three Gladiator Characters Have Real-Life History
Three ofGladiator ’s primary characters were base on real people : Marcus Aurelius , Commodus , and Lucilla . Beginning with Marcus Aurelius , this character was based on the real Roman Emperor who govern the empire between 161 and 180 AD.Marcus Aurelius ' real - life story , or at least the latter section , is somewhat consistent with Richard Harris ' depiction of him inGladiator . In 180 AD , Marcus Aurelius was indeed leading the Roman Army on a campaign against the Teutonic tribes of northerly , eastern , and central Europe .
At the end of these difference , Marcus Aurelius authorize away and go away the Roman Empire to his son , Commodus . This think of that Phoenix ’s Commodus was also base on a real - life figure . Commodus became Emperor in 180 AD , with his sovereignty lasting until 192 AD . Commodus ' bequest was a damaging one for Rome , with the Emperor ’s narcissistic way lead him to set about to reshape almost everything about Rome in his trope . This links to Commodus ' depiction inGladiator .
Gladiator ’s main villain , Emperor Commodus , meets his end at Maximus ’ script in the movie , but what hap to the real - life chassis who inspire him ?
Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook
In the film , Commodus is also describe as a narcissistic character . He deems himself worthy of being Marcus Aurelius ' successor despite the latter choosing Maximus as the next Emperor . Commodus ' murder of Marcus Aurelius has been speculate as a possible cause of the latter ’s death in real history , and his inclination to push in the Colosseum as a gladiator is one immerse in historical true statement . Eventually , Commodus ' harsh , barbarous reign over Rome see many bid him utter , finally culminate in his blackwash and leading into the Year of the Five Emperors in which many vied for the can .
Just as Commodus was real , so too was Lucilla . One of the law of similarity between the real Lucilla and Connie Nielsen ’s character inGladiatoris that she conspired against Commodus . In substantial life history , Lucilla examine to have Commodus slain by two human as he enter a theater . The attempt give out and Lucilla fled Rome , eventually being found and vote out by Commodus ' men . InGladiator , Lucilla ’s confederacy against Commodus still fails , yet she hold out after Maximus kills him .
Gladiator & Gladiator 2’s Lucius Verus Is Also Based On A Real Person
The Son Of Lucilla Has A Very Different Story To His Real-Life Counterpart
The final persona inGladiator- andGladiator II- who is based on a real person is Lucius Verus . Unlike Commodus , Marcus Aurelius , and Lucilla , however , Lucius ' differences betweenGladiatorand factual history are the biggest . In real life , Lucius Verus II was born to Lucius Verus and Lucilla . That said , he died at a very young age , even before the sovereignty of Emperor Commodus get down in 180 AD . This marks a cock-a-hoop modification inGladiator ’s story , with Lucius being live as a vernal boy in the photographic film .
As the independent type of Gladiator 2 , Paul Mescal ’s Lucius has been consecrate quite a bit of care in new images and interview for the epic sequel .
prizefighter IImakes this alteration even greater thanks to the recasting of Paul Mescal as the character . Lucius not only survive well into his twenty thanks to the story ofGladiator IIbut therelationship between Lucius and Maximusis confirm . Gladiator IIreveals that Maximus is Lucius ' real father , unlike real romish history .
Gladiator follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor Commodus. After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator. Set in ancient Rome, the story portrays his struggle for survival and quest for vengeance as he battles for his freedom in the arena.
Other Characters In Gladiator Who Were Real
Some of the supporting character inGladiatorwere also material hoi polloi . One is Senator Falco , the political leader who helps Commodus consolidate his power . This character was likely ground on the existent romish politician Quintus Pompeius Falco . There are also several senators throughout Roman history known by the name Gaius , another ofGladiator ’s senators who ally with Maximus and Lucilla .
One of the secondary villains ofGladiatoris Quintus , the drawing card of the Praetorian Guard who betrays Commodus in the film ’s finis . In real life , the leader of the Praetorian Guard bed as Quintus Aemilius Laetus was think to have been heavy involved in Commodus ' assassination . Gladiator ’s Quintus pass up to help Commodus in the film ’s final struggle scene , go to the latter ’s death and solidifying the loose historical link .
The Gladiator Characters Who Are Entirely Fictional
Just as there are manyGladiatorcharacters base on real the great unwashed , there are also many who were entirely fancied . One of the more large characters in the film who was made up was Oliver Reed ’s Antonius Proximo , the owner of Maximus and his slave comrades who took them from North Africa to Rome . Another fictional character in Rome ’s political landscape painting is Derek Jacobi ’s Senator Gracchus , the chief political leader who aid Maximus and Lucilla in their attempts to overturn Commodus .
The fact that several papist pol in Gladiator were both real and fake shows how cutthroat the political landscape of the Empire was , as many of them exhibit similar trait whether actual or not .
Then there are Maximus ' two prizefighter ally , Juba and Hagen . The former , played by Djimon Hounsou , is an African slave who was take on from his rest home to fight in the gladiatorial sports stadium . The second , play by Ralf Mǒller was a Germanic warrior and the principal gladiator of Proximo ’s assets until Maximus ' arrival . Finally , Tommy Flanagan ’s Cicero , Maximus ' loyal ally in the Roman Army , was also fancied inGladiator , show the celluloid to have as many real - life fictional character as it does fanciful one .
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Gladiator follows Maximus , a Romanist general betrayed by the young Saturnia pavonia Commodus . After escape execution , he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator . gear up in ancient Rome , the story portrays his conflict for survival of the fittest and quest for payback as he battles for his exemption in the area .
