Gladiatorhas a large mix of characters, with some being fictional creations for the film and others being based on real-life historical figures. Theactors inGladiatorbring to life the film’s many excellent characters, from Russell Crowe leading the story as Maximus Decimus Meridius to Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the villainous Roman Emperor, Commodus. Since the film was released in 2000,Gladiator’s historical accuracyhas been one of the primary talking points; Some disregard the film due to its exaggerated aspects, while others insist true history should not impact how epic filmmaking is perceived.
Interestingly, this debate also raged overGladiator II’s story. In the run-up to the sequel’s release, many historians criticized it, and director Ridley Scott, for not staying steadfastly committed to historical accuracy in every sense. Regardless of these arguments,Gladiatorhas stood the test of time as one of the strongest movies of the 2000s, and one of the best of Scott’s career. By the time ofGladiator’s bittersweet ending, the film proved so resonant that many wondered which characters were based on real history and which were fictitious, linking to the debates of the film’s historical accuracy.
Maximus Decimus Meridius Is Based On Multiple Real People
Russell Crowe’s Character Has Several Influences
The lead ofGladiatoris Maximus Decimus Meridius, with his journey being the center point of the entire story. As such, one of the burning questions for many after the film’s conclusion is whether he was a real historical figure. As it turns out,Gladiator’sMaximus Decimus Meridius is not based on any one person. Instead, Maximus' character was inspired by several real people from Roman history, with different aspects of people’s lives being combined into the central character ofGladiator.
Gladiator: The Actors Who Almost Played Maximus Instead Of Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe was not the only actor considered to play Maximus in Gladiator, and the other names in contention would have each changed the movie.
Perhaps the most notable influence when creating the character of Maximus was Marcus Nonius Macrinus. Not only does the latter share the former’s triple-barreled name, but he was alive at around the same time as Maximus is inGladiator. Similarly, Marcus Nonius Macrinus was a Roman general under the rule of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Nonius Macrinus was said to be someone who was well-liked by Marcus Aurelius, with the latter often using the former as an advisor. InGladiator, Maximus is also a Roman general who Marcus Aurelius views as a son, often providing his advisor-like opinion on political matters.
The final influence for Maximus' character was Narcissus, the wrestling partner of Commodus…
One of the other real Roman figures that inspired the character of Maximus was Avidius Cassius, a general who once declared himself Emperor after receiving wrongful reports of Marcus Aurelius' death. This somewhat links to Marcus Aurelius asking Maximus to be his successor inGladiator.The final influence for Maximus' character was Narcissus, the wrestling partner of Commodus, who eventually killed the real-life Emperor. In the early drafts ofGladiator, Maximus was called Narcissus.
Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, & Lucilla Are Based On Real People
Three Gladiator Characters Have Real-Life History
Three ofGladiator’s main characters were based on real people: Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Lucilla. Beginning with Marcus Aurelius, this character was based on the real Roman Emperor who ruled the empire between 161 and 180 AD.Marcus Aurelius' real-life story, or at least the latter sections, is somewhat consistent with Richard Harris' depiction of him inGladiator. In 180 AD, Marcus Aurelius was indeed leading the Roman Army on a campaign against the Germanic tribes of northern, eastern, and central Europe.
At the end of these conflicts, Marcus Aurelius passed away and left the Roman Empire to his son, Commodus. This means that Phoenix’s Commodus was also based on a real-life figure. Commodus became Emperor in 180 AD, with his reign lasting until 192 AD. Commodus' legacy was a negative one for Rome, with the Emperor’s narcissistic ways leading him to attempt to reshape almost everything about Rome in his image. This links to Commodus' depiction inGladiator.
Gladiator: What Happened To Emperor Commodus In Real Life
Gladiator’s main villain, Emperor Commodus, meets his end at Maximus’ hands in the movie, but what happened to the real-life figure who inspired him?
In the film, Commodus is also depicted as a narcissistic character. He deems himself worthy of being Marcus Aurelius' successor despite the latter choosing Maximus as the next Emperor. Commodus' murder of Marcus Aurelius has been theorized as a possible cause of the latter’s death in real history, and his tendency to fight in the Colosseum as a gladiator is one steeped in historical truth. Eventually, Commodus' harsh, brutal reign over Rome saw many wish him dead, eventually culminating in his assassination and leading into the Year of the Five Emperors in which many vied for the throne.
Just as Commodus was real, so too was Lucilla. One of the similarities between the real Lucilla and Connie Nielsen’s character inGladiatoris that she conspired against Commodus. In real life, Lucilla tried to have Commodus slain by two men as he entered a theater. The attempt failed and Lucilla fled Rome, eventually being found and killed by Commodus' men. InGladiator, Lucilla’s conspiracy against Commodus still fails, yet she survives after Maximus kills him.
Gladiator & Gladiator 2’s Lucius Verus Is Also Based On A Real Person
The Son Of Lucilla Has A Very Different Story To His Real-Life Counterpart
The final character inGladiator- andGladiator II- who is based on a real person is Lucius Verus. Unlike Commodus, Marcus Aurelius, and Lucilla, however, Lucius' differences betweenGladiatorand actual history are the biggest. In real life, Lucius Verus II was born to Lucius Verus and Lucilla. That said, he died at a very young age, even before the reign of Emperor Commodus began in 180 AD. This marks a big change inGladiator’s story, with Lucius being alive as a young boy in the film.
Paul Mescal’s Lucius In Gladiator 2 Explained: Sequel Plot, Recasting & True Story
As the main character of Gladiator 2, Paul Mescal’s Lucius has been given quite a bit of attention in new images and interviews for the epic sequel.
Gladiator IImakes this change even greater thanks to the recasting of Paul Mescal as the character. Lucius not only lives well into his 20s thanks to the story ofGladiator IIbut therelationship between Lucius and Maximusis confirmed.Gladiator IIreveals that Maximus is Lucius' real father, unlike real Roman history.
Other Characters In Gladiator Who Were Real
Some of the supporting characters inGladiatorwere also real people. One is Senator Falco, the politician who helps Commodus consolidate his power. This character was likely based on the real Roman politician Quintus Pompeius Falco. There are also several senators throughout Roman history known by the name Gaius, another ofGladiator’s senators who allies with Maximus and Lucilla.
One of the secondary villains ofGladiatoris Quintus, the leader of the Praetorian Guard who betrays Commodus in the film’s finale. In real life, the leader of the Praetorian Guard known as Quintus Aemilius Laetus was thought to have been heavily involved in Commodus' assassination.Gladiator’s Quintus refuses to help Commodus in the film’s final battle scene, leading to the latter’s death and solidifying the loose historical link.
The Gladiator Characters Who Are Entirely Fictional
Just as there are manyGladiatorcharacters based on real people, there are also many who were entirely fictional. One of the more prominent characters in the film who was made up was Oliver Reed’s Antonius Proximo, the owner of Maximus and his slave comrades who took them from North Africa to Rome. Another fictional character in Rome’s political landscape is Derek Jacobi’s Senator Gracchus, the main politician who aids Maximus and Lucilla in their attempts to overthrow Commodus.
The fact that several Roman politicians in Gladiator were both real and fake shows how cutthroat the political landscape of the Empire was, as many of them exhibit similar traits whether real or not.
Then there are Maximus' two gladiator allies, Juba and Hagen. The former, played by Djimon Hounsou, is an African slave who was taken from his home to fight in the gladiatorial arena. The second, played by Ralf Mǒller was a Germanic warrior and the chief gladiator of Proximo’s assets until Maximus' arrival. Finally, Tommy Flanagan’s Cicero, Maximus' loyal ally in the Roman Army, was also fictional inGladiator, proving the film to have as many real-life characters as it does imaginary ones.
Gladiator
Cast
Gladiator follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor Commodus. After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator. Set in ancient Rome, the story portrays his struggle for survival and quest for vengeance as he battles for his freedom in the arena.
