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Tigris of Gaul was a famous and legendary gladiator who had a reputation of being undefeated until he met his match with Maximus Decimus Meridius.

He was portrayed by Sven-Ole Thorsen in the 2000 film Gladiator.

Tigris vs Maximus[]

Tigris of Gaul was brought out of retirement by Emperor Commodus to fight the ex-general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Colosseum in 180 AD. He was announced as "the only undefeated Gladiator" by the host of the games, Cassius. Tigris of Gaul dual-wielded a sword and an axe in the battle. It proved to be an unfair match for Maximus because Emperor Commodus sent three tigers to attack and kill him in his hatred of him.

Gaining the upper-hand, Maximus was able to knock Tigris back and used the back-end of the gladiator's own axe to stab him in the foot. Screaming in pain, Tigris was forced to bend down to grab at his wounded foot, while blood trickled from the mouth of his mask. Using this to his advantage, Maximus proceeded to knock him to the ground. When the bloodthirsty audience demanded that he kill the previously undefeated Tigris, Maximus spared the gladiator's life. This earned him the title "Maximus the Merciful" from the crowd, which further angered Commodus, who then confronted Maximus, asking what he was to do with him, as he simply would not die.

Trivia[]

  • Tigris of Gaul has a striking resemblance to the Dark Souls 2 boss, Looking Glass Knight. Both warriors are clad in silver armor, both warriors have helmets depicting a crying humanoid face and both had help in their fights (Looking Glass Knight could summon phantoms and players for assistance while Tigris had the help of two tigers).
  • Together with the design of his helmet along with his mask, Tigris' armor bears a striking resemblance to the legendary hero Hercules/Heracles, as he wears the head of the mythical Nemean Lion.
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