In 2000, people lined up to cheer on Russell Crowe's character Maximus in the movie Gladiator. More than 2000 years earlier, people actually lined up for the real thing. These free fighting games were far bloodier and more brutal than any of the battles presented in a movie. Directed by Ridley Scott, Crowe plays a fictional character named Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was betrayed by Commodus. He murdered his father, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), and seizes the throne. Captured and enslaved, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the deaths of his family and his emperor. Even though most of the film wasn’t based on an actual real life story, it was a box office success. The film won multiple awards, notably …show more content…
According to the History article “10 Things You May Not Know about Roman Gladiators” all gladiators wasn’t all slaves (Andrew 2014). Enticed by the thrill of battle and the roar of the crowds, many free men began volunteering for gladiator schools anticipating not only to win but also win prize money. Mastering the basics of hand-to-hand combat and discovering the secrets of Imperial Rome's gladiator is what any soldier during those times wanted. Ancient History Expert, N.S. Hill research tells us that by the end of the Republic, half the gladiators were estimated as volunteers and did not die during these games (2015). At the end of their services, a freed gladiator would teach other gladiators or become a freelance bodyguard. The recreation of Roman history and life as a gladiator was very impressive in the movie “Gladiator”. Dressing these actors in gladiator tunics, belts, protective leather gloves and swords these writers did an excellent job to lure us into the story of Maximus. They revealed how these men literally fought and died, and explain how emperor Commodus, a man who infatuated over gladiators, watched his empire fall around