Film paper: Gladiator “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius; father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” In the 2000 film, Gladiator, Russel Crow plays a victorious Roman general, Maximus, whose charismatic leadership and order to return Rome back over to the Senate led the emperor’s son, Commodus Aurelius, played by Joaquin Phoenix, to murder his father, Marcus Aurelius, and plot the condemnation of Maximus. After escaping his own execution, Maximus is captured by slave traders and sold to Proximo’s business of harvesting gladiators. After growing in popularity he and his fellow gladiators are sent to Rome where he later forms a plot with Lucilla, Commodus’ sister, and Senator Gracchus to overthrow his nemesis, Commodus, and to return Rome to a senate-based government. Maximus was successful in his attempt to lead his followers and defeat his enemy through his charismatic leadership style and his reliance on his expert and referent power. Maximus exudes charisma through his self-confidence and humility in which he leads his followers. In the beginning of the film, Maximus walks the talk by fighting on the front lines of battle amongst his army with the Germanic barbarians. In order to inspire his men, Maixmus uses imagery and rhetorical language to motivate his army to be strong and succeed. “Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead!” Maximus also had the legitimate power as the emperor’s general and was given the duty by the Cesar to return Rome to the Senate; therefore, he sought to attain the power needed to influence followers without the desire to fulfill an unethical need to be authoritarian in his quest. When in battle, Maximus utilized his expertise in combat to lead his fellow gladiators to rise up, work together, and defeat the opposing gladiators. “You can help me. Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive.” Once he had gained the backing of his fellow gladiators and gained the approval of his audience, Maximus had the support of the Roman people and became known as the “Savior of Rome”. It was Maximus’ referent power amongst his immediate and close followers which enabled him to finally conquer Commodus and restore Rome to a great republic state. Maximus’ close friends, Lucilla, and Senator Gracchus were able to trust and identify with him and thus internalize his vision and mission for Rome. The risks that Maximus took to achieve his mission included his life, the lives of his friends, and fellow servant Cicero; in turn his followers honored him and carried out his body while leaving the Commodus’ corps alone to rot in the Coliseum. Although Maximus was a strong leader, the follower and situational characteristics were appropriate for his leadership style to be this effective. Due to the uncertainty, distress, and anxiety among those in battle and those in political upheaval, the disruption of the status quo and overthrowing the emperor, Commodus, enabled the need for a leader like Maximus to shine and be effective among his followers. It was the perfect combination of Maximus’ high status among the Romans and the rise of major social change which led to the fall of Commodus and the stabilization of Rome.