Premium Essay

Gladiators

In:

Submitted By theshehanf
Words 1735
Pages 7
“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 were accurately portrayed, many of them were shown. Also, Roman General Maximus and his family are shown in a field of wheat and animals suggesting that before he was a farmer. Research states that the Roman army developed fighting techniques that was harsh and very effective. Romans took their time to set up their weaponry because they wanted to wipe out their enemy in one blow, they did

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Gladiator

...Movie Title: Gladiator Year Produced: 2000 Director: Ridley Scott Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama Cast Of Characters: Russell Crowe ....Maximus Joaquin Phoenix ….Commodus Connie Nielsen ….Lucille Oliver Reed ....Proximo Richard Harris .... Marcus Aurelius Derek Jacobi .... Gracchus Djimon Hounsou .... Juba David Schofield .... Falco John Shrapnel ….Gaius Tomas Arana .... Quintus Alf Moeller .... Hagen Spencer Treat Clark .... Lucius David Hemmings …. Cassius Tommy Flanagan .... Cicero Sven-Ole Thorsen .... Tigris Plot: Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a general in the roman army loved by Marcus Aurelius, the emperor. Marcus wants Maximus to become emperor after he dies, as he thinks that his son Commodus is unfit to rule. When he tells Commodus this, Commodus murders him. When Maximus refuses to believe that Marcus died of natural causes, Commodus orders that Maximus and his family should be executed. However, Maximus escapes and returns home. Too late to save his family, and paralyzed with anguish. He collapses and is sold as a slave where his prowess as a gladiator gets noticed and eventually he fights his way through Africa to Rome, where he meets the emperor face to face. The emperor spares his life, and then challenges Maximus to a fight in the arena. Maximus accepts and the two engage in a bloody battle. Maximus kills the emperor, reinstates the Senate as the governors of Rome and dies to be with his family in the afterlife. ...

Words: 370 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Gladiator

...Gladiator: The Movie Essay | Gladiator: The Movie Ridley Scott This student essay consists of approximately 3 pages of analysis of Gladiator. Print Word PDF This section contains 804 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) Gladiator: The Movie Summary: "What we do in life echoes in eternity." A famous tag line of the movie that Maximus (Russell Crowe) said to his men before they merge in the battlefield. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). A very highly intense action sequence directed by Ridley Scott. A film that won multiple awards including, best costume design, visual, pictures and sound effects. The "Gladiator." "What we do in life echoes in eternity." A famous tag line of the movie that Maximus (Russell Crowe) said to his men before they merge in the battlefield. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his inheritor over his own son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the savage games until he dies. The only desire that fuels him now is the chance to rise to the top so that he will be able to look into the eyes of the man who will feel his revenge. A very highly intense action...

Words: 944 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Gladiator

...What Was Life Like for a Gladiator? Introduction Gladiators were swordsmen that entertained audience members, in the era of the Roman Empire, with harsh and violent actions. Gladiators fought against other gladiators, animals, and criminals. In the battle, gladiators stayed fighting against each other and against animals until one of them stays alive. They fought at arena’s called Colosseum. Most of them were unschooled slaves. They were also set apart even at death. Professional gladiators were often free men who volunteered to participate in the events to gain popularity and escape the low social scale they measured by. In today's essay, we will talk about many things included in the name of a gladiator. History There was an argument about the gladiators origin when a greek philosopher believed that they were Etruscans’ that appeared as gladiators at the late 1st century BC, and a roman historian, Titus Livius, said that gladiators appeared in 310 BC. After a long time, after the game has ended, the 7th century AD writer Isidore of Seville informed that they were Etruscans’. In 216 BC, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, a roman consul, was honored by his sons with three days by organizing matches for three days. These matches had twenty-two pairs of gladiators fighting between each other. The next recorded honor, held for the funeral of Publius Liciniu, also a roman consul, in 183 BC, was more extravagant...

Words: 1014 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Gladiator

...is successful, they will all share in the spoils – they derive satisfaction in seeing this leader succeed and they know that they too will succeed. Gladiators have a mission for which they feel true passion. Call it a purpose, a drive, a calling; good leaders have a defining mission in life. This mission, above all other traits, separates managers from leaders. In Gladiator, Maximus lived for the mission of killing the evil Commodus and restoring Rome to the values that made her great. Gladiators create a vision. Having and communicating a clear picture of a future goal WILL lead to its achievement. Maximus helped his fellow gladiators believe that they could defeat their enemies and achieve freedom. Dare to believe. Gladiators lead from the front; they don’t dictate from the back. In the movie, both when Maximus was a general and a gladiator, he fought up front where the firestorm was heaviest. So does a good business leader. Working “in the trenches” shows that you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, breeding respect from all who follow. Gladiators know there is strength in teams. While the gladiator leader has the skills and ability to draw people together, they do not monopolize the spotlight. They draw from the strength of others, just as Maximus did in various victories realized in the coliseum. Gladiators are risk takers. They adapt to the situation and take risks in order to overcome the odds. Occasionally, a company needs to push outside the comfort...

Words: 495 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gladiators in Rome

...Gladiators in Rome Gladiators were professional fighter who fought with specific weapons and fought before the public in large built arenas throughout the Roman Empire from 105 BCE to 404 CE (official contests). The fights were usually to the death, but gladiators had a short life expectancy. Majority of the fighters were slaves, former slaves or condemned prisoners. Roman gladiator games were an opportunity for Emperors and rich aristocrats show off their wealth to the populace, to commemorate military victories, celebrate birthdays or simply to distract the populace from the political and economic problems of the day. Spartacus was the most famous gladiator who led an uprising of gladiators and slaves from Capua in 73 BCE. He displayed great military leadership in defeating four Roman armies. When a friend died in battle, Spartacus arranged for three hundred Roman prisoners to fight gladiator contests in honor of his fallen comrade. Emperor Commodus was another famous gladiator. He was a professional as he made sure to draw a fantastic salary for his appearances. He fought in the arena and his most frequent participation was a slaughterer of wild animals on a protected platform using a bow. The gladiator games lasted for nearly a thousand years, reaching their peak between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD. The games finally came to an end during the 5th century after the adoption...

Words: 269 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gladiator Overview

...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

Premium Essay

Gladiator Research Paper

...Everything you need to know about Gladiators A gladiator was a professional fighter who fought in arenas for entertainment. They specialised with weapons and fought in a arena with animals or other human beings. Most of the time a fight ended with a death. All the killing made gladiators have a very short life expectancy. The job of a gladiator was a very popular one. The Romans got the idea of Gladiators from Italy. Italy would organise gladiatorial like games. The Etruscans would make these game contests with fights to the death but it had a certain religious sigificance. The first gladiator contest was to ccommemorate the death of a father. The life of a Gladiator was strict and harsh mainly for new recruits. The new recruits were taken out of slavery or jail or sometimes were even prinsoners of war. They were forced into life as a gladitor and were sentenced to either be Executed or die as a Gladitor. They had no freedom as a gladitor and they had no choice....

Words: 427 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Gladiator Movie Review

...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

Free Essay

Gladiator Eng 225

...Gladiator Julius Mitchell ENG 225 Prof. Jonathan Beller 13 March 2011 What would you do if you were engaged in a twelve year campaign; you have a wife and son who are waiting for you, but you are asked to be king and leader of your country? Would you refuse your king, and turn your back on your country, for the sake of two? Ridley Scott, director of Universal Pictures “Gladiator,” brought to life, writer David Franzoni’s epic tale of Maximus, an inspiring and powerful Roman General. After twelve years of fighting, Maximus longs for nothing more than the warm embrace of his family. Unfortunately, the king, Marcus Aurelius asked that he should be crowned king of Rome instead of his corrupt son Commodus. Maximus is caught in a power struggle, which leave him and his family condemned to death. This critical analysis of the motion picture “Gladiator,” will analyze the key elements of film, which embody the storytelling, acting, cinematography, editing, sound, style and directing, societal impact, genre, film criticism and analysis. The story of Maximus, once the most powerful, and respected, general, in Rome, reduced to a slave who fights for an opportunity to exact his vengeance for the brutal death of his family is written with three basic elements. It has character, desire, and conflict. The narrative structure of the film is organized in six stages. These stages are developed by the turning points in the plot. The stages are the initial setup, new...

Words: 3046 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Roman Gladiator Research Paper

...called gladiators. They were armed combatants that entertained viewers in the Roman Empire in violent fights with other gladiators and animals (“The Roman Gladiator”). However, fighting against animals was rare. Usually, squaring off against animals were uncommon for gladiators. These animals were reserved for “venatores” and “bestiarii.” These people were special warriors. The animals used in the arena ranged from deer to elephants (“10 Things”).     Most gladiators were prisoners or war, slaves, or criminals....

Words: 661 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Gladiator Research Paper

...Have you ever thought about how did gladiators live through their life?(Alchin) A gladiator was an armed combatant in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. There are many different types of gladiators. Since gladiators get in to fight, how do they train? Lastly how would they survive being a gladiator since their in fight all the time. First, The different types of gladiators are “Andabata, Arbelas, Bestiarius, Bustuarius, Cestus, Crupellarii, Dimachaerus, Equites these are list of gladiators just imagine fighting with one of them in the ring!”(Owen Jarus) Gladiators don’t live like we do since they kill their opponents and they have rough time living in a very small house. Plus since they are different gladiators their fighting styles are different as wells as their weapons....

Words: 389 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Roman Gladiator Facts

...Violence is entertaining. We are surrounded by it everyday. Similar to the Romans we use violence as a source of entertainment. We see it in movies, books, video games, and many other places. The Romans had the Gladiator games. The movie Gladiator gives us a glimpse into this type of Roman life and culture. Although the movie Gladiator accurately portrayed the atmosphere and brutality of Roman entertainment, there were historically aspects that were inaccurate. In the movie a gladiator was portrayed as a celebrities with more social power than the emperor, this was not the case. A gladiator was a criminal, who were war prisoners or slaves. An Ianista was usually his owner and had to take care of him. An emperor could also fight a gladiator, usually at the end when everyone was weak. Many gladiators were trained at a school just for them. Gladiators were the most famous athletes of their time. There were three main types of gladiators the Thracian, the Secutor, and the Retiarius. The Thracian wore shin guards on both legs, had a full visored helmet, had a small square shield, and carried an...

Words: 666 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Roman Gladiator Research Paper

...Roman Gladiators Long ago, in the Roman Empire, there were people called gladiators. Gladiators were slaves, criminals, and volunteers who fight each other to the death for entertainment. Roman gladiators were mostly men, sometimes there were female gladiators. They trained very hard to fight in the arena. Roman gladiators trained for arena fights by getting in very good physical shape, learning how to die, and learning how to use weapons. To be able to do anything, Roman gladiators had to be in really good physical shape. How did they get in this amazing shape? The first thing new gladiators did when they got to training camp is go through a inspection to see if they were able to train and fight. Research suggests that gladiator trainers kept their students on a largely vegetarian diet. Also, the first thing the trainers taught their gladiators was how to fight without a weapons to gain muscle in their body. Gladiators even trained with weapons two time as heavy as the real weapon to build up their upper body and core. Gladiators also had to learn how to die bravely. They also, had to learn how to die gracefully and with honor. Showing no fear when dying was a big part in learning how to die. Spectators of this sport fully expected these gladiators to die...

Words: 467 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Flim Paper Gladiator Leadership

...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

Free Essay

Film Study Review

...A. Micciche University of Phoenix For 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...

Words: 1302 - Pages: 6