...my report I decided to write about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, which is an action, adventure, drama. This film was released in 2000 with Russell Crowe who is a method style actor, as the lead actor, Starring as Maximus. Maximus was the favorite general of Caesar Marcus Aurelius played by Richard Harris. After defeating the German Barbarians, general Maximus only dreamed of returning home to his wife and son to live a simply life tending to his crops, and leave behind his life as a respected general. After defeating the German barbarians, and with his health failing Caesar decides to appoint Maximus as the protector of Rome and wishes to pass all of his powers as Caesar to Maximus, on the condition that Maximus restores Rome to its former glory, then returning all power to the senate. Commodus, who is played by Joaquin Phoenix who is also a method actor, is a spoiled self indulged aristocrat that believed Caesar would name him as his successor. Commodus kills Caesar and takes the title of Caesar and orders his soldiers to kill Maximus and his family. Maximus escapes, wounded, only to return home to find that Commodus’ soldiers beat him there and slain his wife and son. He awakes to find himself captured to be sold as a slave to Proximo, played by the late Oliver Reed. Promimo is a Gladiator manager, and trains his slaves to fight as gladiators in arena settings, so that he can profit from their blood. Upon returning to Rome, Commodus decides instead of building a sewer drainage...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...“Gladiator” is a historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott. The film was set during the time period of 180 A.D. The leading actor in the movie is Russell Crowe alongside with Joaquin Phoenix. Crowe portrays a loyal general Maximus Decimus Meriduis, who is betrayed when the Emperor’s ambitious son Commodus murders his father and seizes the throne. Commodus murders his father seeing that he offered Maximus to be the next in line to the throne after his death. Finding out, Commodus murders his father and sentences Maximus and his family to be murdered. Managing to escape his execution, Maximus rushes to his family only to find out that he is too late. As he grieves over there death, he is captured and is sold as a slave for combat. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murder of his father and his Emperor. The movie “Gladiator” is fairly accurate according to the three areas that are focused on in this essay, weapons and military strategy, clothing and architecture. This paper will explore these aspects that were portrayed in the film pertaining whether or not it was accurate or inaccurate according to its time period. The area of weapons and military strategy was accurate. The film opens up with a horrific fight scene that is about to take place against the Germanic barbarians. Before the battle begins, it is shown that the Romans take their time to set up the weaponry. The Roman army and gladiator’s battle stance and weapons...
Words: 1735 - Pages: 7
...Part A Rome invaded Greek territory this happened because both Rome and Carthage both wanted to own the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily. This was the cause of the first Punic war which took place from 264 BC – 241 BC. Rome defeated Carthage after 23 years of brutal fighting and tens of thousands of lives lost on both sides. Carthage signed a peace treaty and Rome took control and ownership over Sicily. Due to the peace treaty Carthage signed they and had to pay 200 talents per year for 50 years after the first Punic war. Carthage had paid off their 50,000 talent fee. Carthage then believed treaty had expired. Once Rome had gained knowledge of this unauthorized violence they initiated the greatest army of ancient times....
Words: 421 - Pages: 2
...An Epic Masterpiece Gladiator is set about 2000 years ago in the Roman Empire. The director, Ridley Scott, gives the audience the feeling that they are actually in the city of Rome 2000 years ago watching the gladiators battle each other to death with many different beautiful types of scenery and sets, such as the battle scene in the very beginning of the film, which is a beautiful forest covered in snow with trees lined on the outside of the Roman base, and Caesar’s palace, which is very big with tall rooms and many different pillars and marble floors. The most notable set in the film is the famous Coliseum of Rome which stands about twenty stories high, holding about 20,000 people to watch the gladiators battle to the death, looked as if it were the actual coliseum being used by the gladiators. Scott gives the film a sense of realism by showing blood and gore as it might happen if they were actually fighting in a ring. The film’s main character, Maximus (Russell Crowe), is made a slave by the new ruler of Rome, Commodus, (Joaquin Phoenix), because his father, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), was murdered by Commodus in a jealous rage because Marcus decides to make Maximus his successor, which does not go over well with Commodus. Maximus is taken away to be executed, but escapes and sets out to find his wife and child dead and is captured by slave-traders to become a slave. He is bought by Proximo who makes him fight as a gladiator around different arenas to make money...
Words: 1566 - Pages: 7
...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...
Words: 627 - Pages: 3
...EAST WEST UNIVERSITY MOVIE REVIEW OF “GLADIATOR” SUBMITTED TO: Nazia Manzoor Lecturer English SUBMITTED BY: Nusrat Jahan Nishi SUBJECT: ENG102 SECTION: 5 Date: 30/11/2011 History made History “Gladiator” Gladiator is a historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, Jorhn Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Released in the United States on May 5, 2000, Gladiator was a box office success, receiving positive reviews, and was credited with briefly reviving the historical epic. Channel 4 (UK TV) poll named it as the sixth greatest film of all time. The film was nominated for and won multiple awards, particularly five Academy Awards in the 73rd Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Sound (Bob Beemer, Scott Millan and Ken Weston) Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus family condemned to death. The powerful general...
Words: 682 - Pages: 3
...Slavery in Ancient Rome Rome as far research show had always exploited slaves, however during the early Republic Rome saw its slave population multiply significantly from a series of wars and conquests. This paper will discuss the rights and responsibilities of Roman slaves during the Republican era and early empire. It will also analyze the impact slavery had on Rome’s economic situation as well the impact on roman society and culture. Rome did not always have such an abundance of slaves. It was not until they conquered Corinth and sacked Carthage did they amass a significant amount of slaves. Some authors estimate that the number of slaves reached 300 000-350 000 in a total population of 900 000- 950 000 in Rome during the Augustan era.[1] It is of course impossible to determine the exact amount of slaves during this time, but nevertheless this estimate of slaves is still one third of the population. The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage mark the beginning of Rome’s “addiction” to slavery. After Rome had consolidated the main land of what is now Italy, this brought them into contact with much greater powers. The first Punic War (264-241 B.C) began when both Rome and Carthage took interest in Sicily.[2] Herodotus notes the significance of this first of many battles by comparing it to the battle of Salamis. He states, “They say too, that the victory of Gelo and Thero in Sicily over Hamilcar the Carthaginians tell out upon the very day that the Hellenes...
Words: 3298 - Pages: 14
...October, 2013 Gladiators Gladiators were a big part of Roman culture. The gladiatorial games were a common sport form 310BC until the Roman Empire had fallen. For many people, these games were fun to watch and a source of entertainment. To others, such as the ones fighting, it was frightening and some knew that they would never make it out alive. All of this was first recorded in 310BC. The movie Gladiator follows some of what was true about Rome’s gladiator life, but it also has its own little touches that are not historically correct. History and the movie both claim that Commodus was Marcus Aurelius’ son. Also in the movie, it was told that Commodus had killed Marcus Aurelius, which was not true. Commodus was portrayed as a man in his mid twenties and averaged sized, tan, and with dark hair. In real life, Commodus was only 18 and was muscular, fair, and left-handed. In the movie, Commodus was told to not train because he did not need it. The gladiators were trained for a long time and not treated as a well thought-of citizen, but they were higher up than slaves. One thing that was historically correct in both the movie and in history was that Lucilla had a son with Pomeianus. His name was Arelius Commodus Pomeianus. Commodus was a gladiator in both the movie, and in history. A gladiator was a guilty criminal, a prisoner of war, or a slave bought to fight in the gladiatorial games by an owner. The professional gladiators were volunteered men from Rome or a free man in...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...The different topics in the movie weren’t all accurate. Back then gladiators were supposed to make it believable but no actually kill each other. Also the pointing of a thumb down or up was changed in the movie then it really was. Another difference was some of the men had good bodies and weren’t plump or chubby. I think this movie is very believable. Hollywood added the drama between the crazy emperor and Maximus. Maximus was sold into slavery and back then Gladiators did that too. In the movie they didn’t have gladiators fight privately in other peoples rich homes and in the past they would. They didn’t make it 100% based on historical fact because they want a dramatic storyline that really brings action to an amazing story. They changed the thumbs because since this movie was made in our generation that’s what were used but in the past they would have it the other way. The coliseum’s big and small was exactly the same in the movies and back then in Rome. There was a battle of Carthage that Rome had won in real life and in the movie Maximus and others won that battle. The weapons and training were pretty much the same except there was no net in the movie and in the past they had those. Woman gladiators were in the movie and in past Rome too. They showed gambling in the movie before the battles and in the past they did this too. Fans would get very into these events in the movie and in the past. Lastly the gladiator dress was the same in the early Roman time and in the movie, also...
Words: 290 - Pages: 2
...Jessica Grice Gladiator With movies like the gladiator it’s hard to find out what is it based on fact or fiction. When doing research I found a lot of people say the answer to the question in complex of the events in the film. Truth: The beginning of the movie starts out with a bit of truth. Aurelius was a philosopher and man of peace and he did spend most of his life fighting Germans in one way or another (Ward, Heichelheim, and Yeo 347).Fiction: The depiction of Aurelius children is somewhat false. Aurelius, in the Gladiator, is presented as having only two children. Truth: Aurelius however did not choose to carry on this tradition of senatorial succession. Instead, when it came to succession instead of picking a senator to replace him he picked his son Commodu. Fiction: The movie shows Aurelius wanted to pass down his position to Maximus, who never historically existed. Fiction: In the Gladiator Aurelius, while talking to Maximus, voices his concerns about Commodus taking over the position of emperor. He calls his son an immoral man and says that he should never be allowed to rule Rome. Fiction: There is no historically fact that Aurelius thought this of Commodus: this is quite evident in his gesture of making Commodus his co emperor. Truth: when it came to succession instead of picking a senator to replace him he picked his son Commodus (Ward et al., 351). Truth: Commodus portrayal as a disturbed, immoral, hateful and unstable man. Fiction: In Gladiator Aurelius was...
Words: 557 - Pages: 3
...Roman sports transformed the ritual nature of Greek sports into spectator entertainment. The sports the Romans participated in, boxing, chariot racing, ball games, gladiator battles, and pankration, were all male dominant boasting strength and athleticism. Wealthy Romans had large paying fields in the villas where they hosted the sporting events. The patronage of the empire for sports came apparent in the era of Emperor Nero, when the first gymnasium was built, and soon became one the symbols of Roman Strength. Emperor Nero was born in 37 A.D. and ruled Rome from 54 AD to 68 AD. He began his reign as a generous and reasonable leader but all changed after Agrippina’s murder. Emperor Nero descended into a hedonic lifestyle manifested by self-indulgences and tyranny. Even though Nero was not appreciated by all of Rome, there was good that came from his rule. It was during his reign that the state patronage of sports reached high numbers. He was the first to build a gymnasium in Rome. Due to this, large amphitheaters for various sports, in particular...
Words: 2040 - Pages: 9
...Ivey English Comp. I 3, March 2014 Maximus’ Death Gladiator is a movie about a beloved General of Rome named Maximus. He is informed by the aging emperor, Marcus Aurelius, that he would like Maximus to be his heir. However, the emperor’s son Commodus overhears this and becomes furious. Commodus wanted the position himself; he killed his father before he could inform the empire of his decision about Maximus. Commodus became the new emperor and orders Maximus’s and his family to be put to death. Maximus escapes to find his home destroyed and his wife and son burnt to death. Maximus’s loss causes him to lose the will to continue living and gets him captured and put into the Gladiator games. His only desire now is to rise to the top so that he might be able to look into the eyes of the man who killed his family and obtain his revenge (Terry). The emperor, Commodus, has become so sinister that he even threatens to kill Lucius, his sister Lucilla’s son; believing that him and his sister can have what he call a “pure blood child” together. Commodus hears that the people of Rome see Maximus as the savior of Rome. This makes Commodus furious and leads him to conjure up a plan to kill Maximus. Commodus decides to fight Maximus in the Roman Coliseum and kill him in front of all of Rome. He cheats and punctures Maximus’s lung with a hidden shank before the fight is started. Commodus wears white, Royal Armor, while Maximus wears gladiator armor with an encrusted chest plate. During the course...
Words: 1350 - Pages: 6
...Dylan Dr. Lucas 26 April 2011 Classical Archaeology Gladiator Report Gladiator Basics Gladiators were mostly armed combatant whose primary occupation was to entertain audiences in the vast Roman Empire. These were mostly violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals from far off lands, and condemned criminals. Who were the gladiators? Some gladiators were volunteers who would risk their legal and social statuses and lives by being given an appearance in the gladiatorial arena. Any prizes awarded to gladiators could be kept and sold for money. Although gladiators fought only about 4-5 times a year they were well paid during training and for fights. However, the majority of gladiators prisoners of war and slaves who were not paid (Alchin). Many of these people were forced into becoming a gladiator and many of them were sentenced to execution by the sword in the arena or to fight until death as a gladiator. At the height of the gladiatorial games, free men began enrolling as new gladiators, most of them ex-soldiers. However, even a number of wealthy Romans volunteered. Some just for the glory and others to pay off their debts. The majority of gladiators were allowed to keep any prizes or gifts they had won or acquired during gladiatorial games. In turn, if someone became an incredibly successful gladiator, the profit gained could prove to be extremely high. No matter the gladiator’s country of origin, social status, or previous lifestyle, these...
Words: 1715 - Pages: 7
...The Gladiator, is a film which revolves around two main characters, protagonist Maximus Meridius and antagonist Commodus. Through the film, we are able to see the struggles and accomplishments of both these characters. We are also able to differentiate each of their own unique personalities, how they are motivated in achieving their goals and how they leave an impact on others around them. Need-Based Theories Both Maximus and Commodus are motivated differently through the many need-based theories described by Sniderman, Bulmash, Nelson, and Quick (2010). The theories as explained in the textbook, includes Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Alderfer’s ERG theory, McClelland’s theory of learned needs, and Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. According to Sniderman et al. (2010), Maslow’s theory suggests that people start from the bottom of needs and move up in the hierarchy and that as each need is achieved, they will no longer motivate the person. He or she would then need to move up to the next level of the hierarchy in order to be motivated, which is also known as the progression hypothesis. From the beginning of the film, Maximus was already seen at the highest level of needs, which is self-actualization (Sniderman et al., 2010). The audience never gets to see Maximus go through the different stages of needs, because the first scene of the film is already showing his victory on the battlefield. However we can see just by his character that he has already fulfilled the lower level...
Words: 4170 - Pages: 17
...The Roman games and the value of life. The Roman games, or ludi, were held for the entertainment of the Roman people and played a significant role in ancient Roman culture. In the amphitheater, gladiators battled against wild beasts or engaged in combat with other gladiators. Such events were used to “elevate status” and to create “interaction between the ruler and the ruled”, highlighting the importance the Romans placed on rank and hierarchy. The ludi represented Rome’s dominance over its enemies but at what cost? It celebrated the fearlessness and power of the warriors and the state but also revealed their viciousness and disregard for the living. The act of killing, the crowd’s behavior, and even the arena itself all demonstrate how the Roman games devalue life, which is what this essay will explore. Human beings have an unusual fascination with violence but the idea of watching people die for sport is still shocking. The practice of watching deaths actually originates from the Christian ‘good death’, wherein friends and family gather to witness a loved one’s departure to a better place. “Death by public execution was an echo, even a mirror, of the Christian ‘good death’” in that it was a public event and was presided over by clergymen. However, the religious and solemn atmosphere cannot be found in a Roman arena. Le Bon suggests that in a crowd “a man descends several rungs in the ladder of civilization. Isolated, he may be a cultivated individual; in a crowd, he is...
Words: 1778 - Pages: 8
