Gladiator Vs History

Historical movies all share one common enemy, historians, it seems that most historical movies have trouble with keeping true to the past. Blockbuster movies like Braveheart riddled with historical inaccuracies and lacking authenticity are rather common nowadays. One film distinguishes itself from the rest and that movie is Gladiator. The director of Gladiator actually employed an historian to help with the making of the movie, but is the movie Gladiator historically and realistic? Yes and no, while the movie is remarkable in some aspect like in regards to historical facts, most of its plot is actually fiction. For example, looking at the characters in this movie, the main character is fictional but inspired by other historical figures. However,

For example, Marcus Aurelius is portrayed as a wise philosopher like he is described in history but they put a twist on his character by giving him republican beliefs. This small change in history is the catalyst that leads to the events taking place in the movie. It creates an alternate universe that makes for an interesting take on how things could have gone down. Another difference in the movie from reality is connected to the republican beliefs given to Marcus in the movie, in the film, Marcus wants Maximus to rule Rome and restore the republic but in reality, Marcus wanted Commodus to take over after his death. Aurelius wanted Commodus to become a great emperor, he paid large fees to get intellectuals to educate Commodus, and he went to great lengths to make sure Commodus would have an easy time taking over as the emperor. Not everything in the film is made up obviously Marcus’ accomplishment as told in the movie are true, he was also seen as a great ruler that was loved by everyone making his death a tragic event, according to Herodian “When the news of his death was made public, the whole army in Pannonia and the common people as well were grief-stricken; indeed, no one in the Roman empire received the report without weeping.” (1.4.8). The movie manages to portray Marcus Aurelius in a different light while keeping who he was at the core and that is what is fascinating about this

For instance, since the main character is fictitious Commodus couldn’t have been slain by him, Commodus actually died assassinated by a wrestler. However, he also ruled for about twelve years unlike the short amount of time he govern in the movie. According to Speidel’s studies, Commodus went insane close to the end of his reign “In A.D. 192, the last year of his reign, Commodus threw restraint to the winds and had the senate declare him a god. He assumed such titles as Conqueror of the World, Roman Hercules, and All-Surpasser and named the twelve months of the year after himself. Founding Rome anew, he gave it the name Colonia Commodiana and ordered the legions likewise to be called Commodianae” (Speidel 109). In the movie Commodus didn’t make it to that stage but even in the movie Commodus was irrational and psychotic. Commodus took part into the gladiator lifestyle in both the real world and the film only difference is in reality the other gladiator were too scared to actually fight him seriously. In the film a senator says that Commodus will bring the people of Rome death and they’ll love him for it, showing that the people love him just like in reality. Commodus death didn’t bring the Roman Republic back in reality unlike the film but otherwise, the movie is fairly accurate with Commodus’