... the basic plot was Maximus trying to overthrow the new emperor of Rome, Commodus. Commodus became the emperor after Marcus Aurelius died, when really he was killed by his own son. Marcus Aurelius wanted Maximus to inherit his throne instead of his own son. He wanted to give him the power because he ... have ruled because they were corrupted by unethical politics. Maximus was the chief general of the Phoenix Legions, always fighting for Rome, and always by Marcus Aurelius" side. No one ever found out that Commodus killed his father so that he could become the emperor. When he did become t...

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... strong, and the combination of his sheer willpower and determination that one has when striving for revenge, proves as a deadly one. In the beginning of the movie, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius is aging quickly. He lets it be known that he doesn't want his own son, Commodus, being his successor, but instead wants a well-known Roman general, Maximus to rule. When ... with peace rather than war. Although his general Maximus never actually existed, a relationship much like theirs most likely did exist. Great loyalty was shown to good leaders in Rome and Marcus Aurelius was considered a...

• Word Count: 906
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... barbarians and bringing peace to the Empire, Maximus craves nothing more than to return home and farm with his family. However the aging Emperor, Caesar Marcus Aurealius sees in Maximus the next leader of Rome. He decides to bestow the title on the war weary general, passing over his spoiled son ... that slaves came from many other countries and the lack of a common language would have made it difficult for everyone to understand each other. Furthermore, Marcus Aurelius did not advocate the return of the Republic, and there was no General Maximus under his command. Commodus ruled for twe...

• Word Count: 663
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... . The plot of the movie starts with a general of the Roman army, Maximus, who leads his army to victory. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius asks Maximus to become emperor instead of his own son Commodus. He asks Maximus right before he is going to die. When ... he goes to the coliseum, in Rome, he becomes very popular with every victory. His plan is to get revenge on Commodus, who killed his family and Marcus Aurelius. Commodus had a sister named Annia Lucilla who was afraid of him. She had strong feelings for Maximus and wanted to help him escape. Commodus threatened to ... really did ha...

• Word Count: 696
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... to follow this central them was after the first battle of the movie against the barbarians of Germania, when Maximus and Commodus have their discussions with Marcus Aurelius, the Caesar of Rome. Here we really begin to see the evil arise in young Commodus as he talks to his father, the Caesar. ... scene is very dark and low, which give Commodus a very malevolent look. The low lighting also helps portray how old and fragile Marcus Aurelius really is. A great lighting shot is that of the statue, where it covers one eye and one eye only, symbolizing that someone is always watching. ... Whe...

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... generals kind servant along with a whole list of other characters. The main plot of the story is Maximus, the most-trusted general serving the aging Caesar Marcus Aurelius leading troops into battle against Germania in 180 A.D. But Marcus Aurelius wants Maximus to fight a tougher opponent.. the corruption of Rome, by taking power after the emperor's death and restoring Rome to a republic. Maximus is reluctant ... , preferring to return to his wife and son, but he agrees to serve his Caesar. But his Caesar doesn't last too long, thanks to Marcus Aurelius' son Commodus who kills his Dad an...

• Word Count: 964
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... and ability to act out the action scenes were simply marvelous. Maximus, a prestigious general of Rome has lead his men to victory numerous times for the great emperor Marcus Aurelius. After a gruesome battle Marcus Aurelius calls Maximus to his tent to ask him to become the new emperor instead of his own son, Commadus. Maximus, anxious to get home to his family takes some ... time to think about such a prominent job. Meanwhile, Commadus finds out that he will not be the new emperor of Rome and murders his father. Since Marcus Aurelius has not announced his successor, Commadus becomes t...

• Word Count: 391
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... for executing his family. They also received instructions from the previous ruler of the state. Hamlet was given instructions by his father to avenge him. Marcus Aurelius, the previous ruler of Rome, gave instructions to Maximus that Rome would be a republic again and he would become its leader. Since Claudius killed ... inability to act and his character trait of thinker versus man of action prolong his revenge and lead to his death, where Maximus' loyalty to Marcus Aurelius and his family led to his death. Hamlet even acknowledges his tragic flaw, when he sees Fortinbras' men and says:...

• Word Count: 1227
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... pleasure. It is Maximus' role, therefore, to take avenge the lives of his loved ones and defy the emperor, fulfil the promise he made to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and save Rome before it is too late. My speech today is to talk about the conflict that has erupted from the movie "Gladiator". The largest ... conflict in Gladiator is with the characters Maximus Decimus Meridius and Commodus Aurelius. For Commodus, a very deep hatred for Maximus and his father was formed. His father Marcus Aurelius was planning to give the throne to Maximus and not his son. This is where the hatred was build ....

• Word Count: 287
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... could even be considered a social movement; in which, "people organize and extend their activities beyond the immediate confines of a group" (Newman 462). The movie becomes complicated on political issues, where Marcus Aurelius wanted to have the Senate rule the government. However, since he was murdered by his only son, these wishes were not granted. A countermovement was made by the Senate and Maximus ... ...

• Word Count: 695
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... never made it as far as it did. However, in my opinion, Gladiator was a very successful film that kept me on the edge of my seat. In the film Gladiator, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) who plays the emperor of Rome, is dying on the Germanian frontier of the Empire. Upon his death, he whishes to announce his loyal general, Maximus Decimus Meridius ... ...

• Word Count: 726
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School