Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity!—General Meridius, to his troops, Gladiator
Maximus Decimus Meridius (1??-192 AD) was the commander of the Armies of the North and the Felix Legions under the Roman Empire. The greatest general of Rome during the 2nd century AD, he served loyally under Emperor Marcus Aurelius during his Twelve Year Campaign against the Germanic tribes at Vindobona in Germania. Marcus Aurelius wanted him to succeed him and make Rome a republic - but his ambitious son Commodus, ordered the Praetorian Guard to kill Maximus and his family after Maximus refused to swear loyalty to him. Maximus escaped, but was later enslaved and became a very famous gladiator. During his time as a gladiator, he earns several titles, including The Spaniard, Aelius Maximus and Maximus the Merciful. In 192, he finally had the opportunity to avenge his deceased emperor as well as his wife and son, and he killed Commodus, although he died of his wounds. He was played by Russell Crowe in the 2000 film Gladiator.
Archive footage of Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius is used in the film Gladiator II. Maxmimus's legacy looms large over the film's events. He is idolized by Lucius Verus, who remembers his legacy as he fights to free Rome from the tyrannical forces who have taken control of it. Meanwhile, one of such forces, General Marcus Acacius, actually trained under Maximus and, despite participating in conquest under the Emperors Geta and Caracalla, also hopes to fulfill Maximus's vision.
Personal life[]
Maximus Decimus Meridius was a Roman citizen born in Hispania, though his exact date of birth is never mentioned in the movie. He had a farm where his son and wife lived. He describes smelling herbs during the day. He was a Roman General who led his legions to many victories, but what he wanted most- was to return to a simple life outside of war. He was favored by Emperor Marcus Aurelius from his youth, because he is a good man, became an honorable General and was incorruptible.
His wife and son were both murdered by Commodus and his village was razed.
History[]
Life as a General[]
Maximus led the Roman Legions for the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, during his wars against Germania. Maximus and his subordinate Quintus defeated the Barbarians in a battle. Prior to the battle, Maximus gave a rousing speech to his troops, telling them that, "what we do in life echoes in eternity!" Though his forces suffered some painful losses, they were victorious.
After the battle, he was honored by the Emperor for his duty. He was envied by Marcus' son Commodus, who though he possessed martial training- was not a warrior. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was dying, admitted that he was worried about how he would be seen by future generations. He admitted that Rome had known almost only war during the time that he had ruled and that the voice of Rome had been taken from them by the Caesars. Maximus was offered the title of Caesar by Marcus, who knew that Commodus was too weak to rule Rome. He hesitantly accepted the post, but Commodus killed his Father in secret- before this could be announced, and became Emperor. He was reluctantly betrayed by his former brother-in-arms, Quintus, and was sent to be executed in the woods. He escaped by killing the executioner and three other men, only to find that Commodus had already murdered his wife and son. His arrival at his farm was gruesome; he found his family crucified. He buried his wife and son before falling unconscious from exhaustion by their grave side.
Life as a Gladiator[]
What am I going to do with you? You simply won't die.—Commodus, to Maximus, Gladiator
Maximus was captured by a band of drifting thieves while asleep, and sold to a passing slave trader. He made acquaintance with Juba, a Numidian soldier posing as a hunter who was also taken to be sold as a slave. After crossing the desert, Maximus and Juba were taken to a market; where he was sold to Proximo, an old former gladiator. Maximus refused to practice fighting and removed the legion's mark from his shoulder while in captivity. Refusing to give his actual name, the trader referred to him as the "Spaniard", for where he'd been taken from. And despite his refusal to participate in training, he proved more than capable in actual battle- displayed his strength against several Gladiators in many games and provincial arenas. Maximus continued in this reticence, until Proximo offered him the opportunity to go to Rome, to fight in the Colosseum.
Maximus fought with Juba, Hagen and several other gladiators as "Barbarians" of Carthage in the first game in the arena. Following "The Spaniard's" command, the gladiators were successful. Commodus came down from his seat, demanding to know the "Spaniard's" name. Maximus removed his helmet and revealed his true identity. Commodus stood in shock, after believing Maximus was dead, and let the Gladiators live after the crowd began to cheer Maximus' name.
Lucilla, Commodus's sister, met up with Maximus in secret, trying to get the gladiator to meet with Senator Gracchus in attempt to overthrow Commodus. Maximus declined and told her to leave, as he wasn't the same man any more.
Commodus made plans for Maximus to fight Tigris of Gaul for the next game, striving for Maximus to die. Maximus was thrown into the arena with several Tigers and Tigris. Maximus refused to kill Tigris, and spared the Gladiator's life. He won the crowd as "Maximus the Merciful" which further angered Commodus. Maximus left the arena and was greeted by his loyal servant Cicero. He was given his figures for prayer, Maximus then asked for Cicero to tell Lucilla he would meet Gracchus.
Maximus then agreed to help stage a coup- he intended to escape the gladiator school and present himself to his legions, intending to overthrow Commodus. Commodus, however, learned of the conspirator's plans. Determined not to make Maximus a martyr, he decided Maximus would have to die in the Colosseum, and declared his intention to personally fight him, though not before secretly wounding him in the side beforehand. Commodus's arrogance would prove his undoing, as Maximus- even wounded, still succeeded in disarming him before their battle ended, and his guards, under a chastened Quintus, refused to provide him with a sword. The two then went to fisticuffs, before Commodus produced a secret dagger, but Maximus retained the strength to turn it against him, stabbing him to death.
As he lay dying, he called out for the reinstatement of Senator Gracchus, whom Commodus had been holding prisoner. Succumbing to his wounds, he reunited with his family in the afterlife. Lucilla honored him as a soldier of Rome- and Juba, his fellow Gladiator, declared that they were now free. In his honor, he buries two small figurines of his wife and son in the ground where he died.
Legacy[]
Approximately 16 years following his death, Marcus Aurelius and Maximus's legacy has not come to fruition. Rome is now ruled by the twin emperors Caracalla and Geta, the Senate still corrupt and Rome continues to expand its territories through conquest even as people starve. Lucilla has sent away Lucius Verus, secretly Maximus's son, to Numidia in the hopes of ensuring his survival, but he is captured when the general Marcus Acacius, Lucilla's husband, invades Numidia.
Lucius, known by the alias "Hanno," is shipped back to Rome where he is pressed into service as a Gladiator. When Lucilla recognizes him in the arena, she comes to him, apologizing for having abandoned him as a child. He, however, resentful about the death of his wife Arishat and the loss of Numidia, refuses to acknowledge her and shouts for her to get out, even when she tells him that she sees his father in him, revealing that his father was Maximus. Meanwhile, Lucius befriends the doctor Ravi, who reveals to him that he knows of Maximus and shows him a shrine containing Maximus's armor and sword.
Historical Inspirations[]
Though 'Maximus' is obviously fictional, he appears to be a conflation of numerous historical figures: from Rome's legendary hero, Cincinnatus- who helped Rome in her hour of need, and then retired to his farm - Marcus Nonius Macrinus, a general and friend of Marcus Aurelius - Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus, the second husband of Lucilla- who was offered the imperial throne numerous times (consistently refusing it), and Commodus' wrestling coach, and ultimate killer, Narcissus.
Behind the scenes[]
Although his character does not appear in the sequel, Gladiator II, due to having been killed off in the original film, filmmaker Ridley Scott felt that it was important given that the sequel has an identity shaped by his legacy that it should have a connection to him. This led to the storyline of Marcus Acacius having trained under him, while Lucius Verus remembers his legacy from seeing him as a child.[1] Ridley Scott considered several ideas for bringing Maximus back from the dead for a sequel film, including a concept involving a dying warrior becoming a portal for Maximus to come back from the dead. He was forced to abandon the idea for, as he stated, "But that didn't go down to well with the nobs. They thought it was ridiculous." Another concept, penned by Nick Cave around 2006, involved Maximus being in purgatory, the gods dying through a lack of worship, and them sending Maximus to Earth with the intent of killing Jesus Christ and all of his followers. This concept was not only rejected by the studio but reportedly disliked by Russell Crowe as well. [2]
References[]
- ↑ Breznican, Anthony (July 1, 2024). Paul Mescal vs. Pedro Pascal: A First Look at the Epic Gladiator II. Vanity Fair. Retrieved on July 14, 2024.
- ↑ Empire - "Unleash Hell" by Hayley Campbell, October 2024