Emperor Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris) asks his commanding general Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) to succeed him and then to end the corruptness of the kingdom by returning power to the Senate of Rome for the good of the people. When Marcus Aurelius discloses his plan of succession to his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) he kills his father in order to ensure his inheritance and orders the execution of Maximus. ... When Commodus orders one hundred days of gladiatorial games to commemorate the memory of Marcus Aurelius, Maximus disguised as "the Spaniard" heads for Rome along with ...

• Word Count: 1374
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

During the first and second centuries, the women of the imperial family of the Roman Empire had a difficult role to play. Far beyond being just wives, mothers, daughters or other various relations of the emperor, from a political point of view, they were effective tools in manipulating public opini...

• Word Count: 1793
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate