Falco was a Roman Senator loyal to the Roman Emperor Commodus.
He was portrayed by David Schofield in the 2000 film Gladiator.
Pre-Commodus Era[]
Falco was introduced by Commodus to General Maximus Meridius alongside Senator Gaius by Commodus. Commodus 'warned' Maximus to be wary of Gaius- that, "he will pour poisoned honey in your ear, and you'll think of nothing but 'Republic! Republic!'". Falco gave Gaius a confused look after Commodus and Maximus left, probably not getting the punchline.
He was at the coronation of Commodus as emperor, after the murder of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He told Gracchus that he thought Commodus would 'do well' (whether he actually believes this, is another matter)- because Gaius & Gracchus believe his support and encouragement of Commodus, is more 'quid pro quo', than sincere. But even Gracchus accepts that Commodus was canny enough to recognise Rome was more ruled by the will of the mob, than by the Senate- and he aimed to hold them in the palm of his hand, distracting them from matters of state- with his extravagant and lengthy series of games.
Advisor to the Emperor[]
Falco was very close to Commodus. A patrician senator opposed to the more republican-minded Gracchus and Gaius, he helps Commodus to consolidate his power- purely for the sake of his own self-interest.
After he learns of the plot against him, Falco gave him a strategy to defeat Maximus- based on an old tale of a sea serpent. It lay still in the sea, pretending to be injured- waiting for its enemies to think it weak, & attack it; the serpent waited- then attacked suddenly, and killed its enemies.
Commodus acts swiftly, to remove a lot of enemies at once, including the Gladiator trainer Proximo, and the gladiator Hagen- in an attack on Proximo's School, a base from which Maximus & the others hatched part of their plot. Also, Maximus' servant Cicero was captured and killed, after being used to lure Maximus out.
After Commodus was killed, Falco's later fate is unknown.
Historical[]
Falco seems to be a conflation of numerous historical figures that were toadies to Commodus- like Saoterus, Perennis and Cleander.