western civilization- roman film connections

Western Civilization I

Gladiator (2003) - Rome

Maximus is the leader of the Roman army and after a battle against Germanic peoples the emperor Marcus Aurelius wants him to be temporary emperor instead of his son Commodus. Learning this new Commodus kills his father and takes over as emperor sending Maximus to be killed only to thwart the assassination and eventually sold into slavery. He then finds himself back in Rome fighting in the Gladiator games. Being a great warrior he is triumphant. After some conspiring Commodus and Maximus fight in the arena where Maximus kills Commodus before he himself dies. Before he dies he upholds the late emperor Marcus Aurelius’ wishes by restoring power to the senate and freeing the slaves.

Maximus- Russell Crowe. Military commander, rightful emperor of Rome, protagonist. Commodus- Joaquin Phoenix. Emperor of Rome, antagonist Lucilla- Connie Nielson. Daughter of Marcus, sister of Commodus. Marcus Aurelius- Richard Harris. Late emperor of Rome. Juba- Djimon Hounsou. African tribesman befriended by Maximus. Cicero- Tommy Flanagan. Loyal servant of Maximus Senator Gracchus- Derek Jacobi. Head of Senate.

The time period is takes place during the Roman Empire. The majority of the movie takes place after the death of Emperor Aurelius after a battle with German tribes who pose a threat to Rome. The time in the Roman Empire is at the end of the Pax Romana and the era of the Five Good Emperors. His Blood son Commodus has taken the throne, which was a mistake for Marcus not to have adopted a son for the heir to the throne like the previous four good emperors.

Apply any event or person in the film that can use the theme, “The same conditions always produce the same results” to connect this event or person to today and/or the future. In fighting scenarios when your opponent makes a certain movement there is always the same result. If you struck a blow on him with a tactic he previously used that was failed attempt and he does it again the same condition produces the same result.

Apply any event or person in the film that can use the theme, “The only thing new in the world is the history you didn’t know” to connect this event or person to today and/or the future. By becoming a slave Maximus learned about the injustices of slavery. Not knowing this before he was ignorant to the cause and did not know the history of cruelty that comes with being a slave.

Apply any event or person in the film that can use the theme, “The importance of history is realizing its presence” to connect this event or person to today and/or the future. Maximus new that he was in the presence of history in the final moments of the movie. When he restored power to the Senate and freed the slaves he saved the Republic.