The Emperor then tells his actual son Commodus about how he wishes his empire to be run, and that he would like Maximus to do it. Commodus becomes angry and hurt and then strangles his own father. Then proclaims himself the new Emperor. Maximus refuses to serve under the new emperor which sentences him and his family to death. Maximus kills the guards sent to kill him without struggle but finds he is too late to prevent the death of his wife and son.

Maximus is found in poor condition and taken as a slave for Proximo. Maximus and other slaves are trained to fight as a Gladiators. At first Maximus refuses but eventually learns that he must fight or di

Proximo’s troupe is called to Rome to participate in a marathon of gladiator games held at the request of the new emperor Commodus. He has no idea that Maximus is a gladiator in this marathon, he believes he is dead. Maximus and the rest of the troupe get placed in a game that is sure death for them all, but Maximus takes on the leader position and they survive. The whole crowd is amazed, including the new Emperor Commodus. He insists on meeting the brave Spaniard. Maximus turns his back to him at first, upsetting the Emperor, then he returns taking off his helmet and revealing is real identity. The Emperor is angry and amazed that Maximus has survived, he still wants him dead. But now that Maximus is extremely popular and loved, there is no way he could have him killed, unless it is in a match.

I really enjoyed this movie. I never thought of watching it because to be honest I did not really know what a gladiator was. I wasn’t aware of how a person became a gladiator and why they would ever want to. I really could not understand why others would enjoy coming to watch these games, and men being brutally killed. Now that I have watched the movie, special features and done some research I understand it all a little better.

Watching this movie helped me learn about the times back then, and how gladiators were apart of it. I thought the movie was good, but I am also very glad that it was just a movie. It made me realize that I am glad I live now, and not then when I would have to be apart of or around these games.

I also found out that a lot of gladiators would commit suicide before matches. It was not necessarily because they were afraid of death, but because they were afraid of the way they would die. Also the humiliation of it. This way they could choose how they would die, and do it respectfully. I think if I was faced with that situation I would want to do the same thing. It would be better than being stabbed to death, cut in half, or ripped apart by some wild

Some topics in this essay:
Roman Senate, Rome Maximus, Lucilla Commodus’, Maximus Spaniard, Emperor Maximus, Spaniard Maximus, Senate Maximus, Marcus Aurelius, Decimus Meridias, Maximus Commodus, maximus refuses, death maximus, dead maximus, money reason, roman senate, gladiators slaves, wife son, emperor commodus, wild animal, gladiators owned,