Maximus, the Classical Hero

“In the winter of 180 A.D, Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ twelve-year campaign against the barbarian tribes in Germania was drawing to an end.

One final stronghold stands in the way of Roman victory and the promise of peace throughout the empire.”

In the beginning of the movie Gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius is a commander in the Emperor's army and strives to command his men to remain loyal to Rome itself and not just the Emperor. Emperors can be flawed and corrupt, but if you fight for Rome then you’re fighting for an idea and a way of life. There was nothing more honorable back in the Roman times than fighting for or dying for your country to protect those you love. That can even be said about today’s service men and women.

Maximus, the Classical Hero

Marcus Aurelius not only favored Maximus as one of his generals, but he relied on him like he did his own son, Commodus. Marcus had a plan to make Rome a Republic again, but he knew that plan would only work if Maximus would agree to take control until the Senate was ready to rule.

“MAXIMUS: What will you have me do Caesar? MARCUS: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you, to one end alone, to give power back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that has crippled it.”

But all Maximus wants to do is return home to his wife and son.

No matter if he’s on the battlefield or in he performs amazing feats. Some of his greatest feats from when he is forced to fight in the Gladiator arena are defeating a group of better-armed men with a small force, defeat Tigris of Gaul, and even killing the Emperor of Rome himself.

When the small gladiator force entered the arena, they faced an enemy that didn’t only have better armor, but they had more experience. It was a fight that they were meant to lose, a fight that the outcome had surprised the spectators. Maximus inspired the force of slaves to work together to fight the better enemy and survive their time in the ring and be able to go to the next battle. “Come together…lock your shields, stay as one…hold as one.”

One of his next opponents was Tigris of Gaul. One of the only gladiators, at the time, to be undefeated. His defeat of Tigris of Gaul was truly unexpected, leaving the audience in awe of what one man could do what people would think was impossible. Even with the three tigers that were let out during the fight, Maximus defeats him. The crowd cheers for Maximus to finish the fight and to kill his opponent, but he spares his life, angering the Emperor.

Before Maximus’ fight with the Emperor, Commodus goes down to where he is kept with the guise of talking to him. Commodus stabs Maximus in the back before returning to get ready for their fight. Even with this fatal wound, Maximus goes on not only to defeat the Emperor but to kill him.

Even when Emperor Marcus Aurelius goes to Maximus telling him that he is going to be stepping down and asks for him to be the one to take over, Maximus says no.

“MAXIMUS: With all my heart, no. MARCUS: [Tenderly holding Maximus' head with both hands]: Maximus, that is why it must be you. MAXIMUS: But surely a perfect, a senator, somebody who knows the city, who understands her politics... MARCUS: But you have not been corrupted by her politics.”

Lucilla comes to him with talk of overthrowing her brother; both times he fears that he isn’t the right man for the job. Because he isn’t one for politics and hasn’t been to Rome to be able to be influenced by those who don’t have Rome's best interest at heart.

After the fight Maximus willingly greets death in order to be with his family once more. His death is brought on by the stab wound before the fight. His death is not only to free himself but to help free the people of Rome from the rule of Commodus. Only after the death of Commodus did the Senate begin to take power once more as was the wish of Emperor Marcus.

References

Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott, performed by Russell Crow, Joaquin Phoenix, and Connie Nielsen, Dreamworks, 2000.