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==Battles in Germania==The <i>Gladiator</i> was a film released in 2000 starring Russell Crowe that focused on General Maximus Decimus Meridiusmovie begins with the ailing Marcus Aurelius, who was enslaved after escaping his execution for not supporting the new Roman Rome's emperor Commodus (staring Joaquin Phoenix), watching Maximus leading a battle against a German tribe. Maximus rises The battle is portrayed as a well skilled gladiator, eventually making it crucial in bringing peace to Rome where he participates in the gladiator games sponsored by CommodusRoman Empire's northern frontier. After Commodus learns of MaximusThe German tribe was shown wearing Neolithic period clothing, which is inaccurate, both characters want to kill and the otherclothing would have been more complex in fashion. Maximus attempts to conspire with those in During the Senate who dislike Commodusreign of Aurelius, while Commodus attempts to have Maximus killed there were prolonged wars in the gladiator battlesGermania.

==Battles in Germania==[[File:Gladiator-3.jpeg|thumbnail|The <i>Gladiator</i>]]The movie begins with the ailing Marcus Aurelius, the emperor of Rome, watching Maximus leading a battle against a German tribe, where the battle is portrayed as crucial in bringing peace to Roman Empire's northern frontier. The German tribe was shown wearing Neolithic period clothing, something that is inaccurate and the clothing would have been more complex in fashion. During the reign of Aurelius, there were prolonged wars in Germania. Wars there were largely inconclusive, although Although they were close to annexing Moravia and West Slovakia during his reign, wars there were largely inconclusive. The movie depicts the emperor being killed by his son Commodus, although in reality Commodus was already co-emperor. In fact, there There is no evidence that Commodus had any difficult relationship with his father, although later authors did disparage Commodus. Furthermore, although Maximus is mostly a fictional character, it is not likely Marcus Aurelius would appoint a general as protector of the empire, as suggested in the movie where shortly before his death , the fictional Marcus Aurelius asked Maximus to lead the empire.  In fact, in the film, a conflict in Marcus AurlieusAurelius' mind was whether to return power to the Senate rather than have it mostly be with the emperor. This is unlikely as Marcus AurlieusAurelius, although often considered a wise emperor and even called the "philosopher -king," as suggested in the film, he still believed in holding power closely and even willingly passed power to his son, something a Roman Emperor had not done for about a century.<ref>For more on Marcus Aurelius, see: Birley, A. R. (2016). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FA62O8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FA62O8&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aee0aa476daf8e04842311de39ecaef3 Marcus aureliusAurelius: a biography].</i> Place of publication not identified: Routledge.</ref> Marcus Aurelius appointed his son as successor long before he died in 166 (he died in 180 CE), making it clear that Commodus was his choice all along. He also died in Vienna (ancient Vindobona), but the film showed him dying in Germania during the campaign. Some rumors and stories did circulate that Commodus did kill his father, but this could have been later stories created to malign the emperor Commodus since he was not well-liked by the Senate, as suggested in the film. The appointment of Commodus was controversial, as shown in the film. From historical documents, mainly in the writings of Cassius Dio, there is an indication that Marcus Aurelius was disappointed in his son, suggesting he had some trepidation about him. Cassius Dio indicates that Rome suffered as Commodus came to power, but this could be part of later propaganda after Commodus's reign. It is hard to tell what is exactly accurate as Commodus may have been more disliked by the upper classes. At the same time, some indication suggests he was popular with the army or even lower classes as a sort of peoples' emperor.<ref>For more on Commodus and his life, see: Adams, G. W. (2013). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612337228/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612337228&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2642b1925a40b708465fd89d98d57316 Emperor Commodus: Gladiator, Hercules or a tyrant?]</i> Boca Raton: BrownWalker Press.</ref> ==Were the Gladiator Contests shown in Gladiator Accurate?==[[File:0 Colosseum - Rome 111001 (2).jpeg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 1. The Colosseum was the premier event for gladiator contests, where advertisement and billboards also hung to promote products.]]In the film, after Maximus was taken as a slave, but not before he discovered that Commodus killed his wife and son, he was shown as being transported and eventually enslaved as a gladiator in a far away, remote province in the Roman Empire (somewhere in the Middle East or North Africa). While the circumstances of how Commodus became emperor in the film are probably not true, there is some greater truth in some gladiator fights. For instance, gladiator contests did often reconstruct famous battles or scenes using characters from history or legends. Gladiator contests did take place in many places around the empire. Animals, such as tigers, were often used in arenas, where gladiators might fight each other and animals.  Excavations at the Colosseum showed a variety of exotic animals were present there. This included: bears, lions, hyenas, elephants, wild boar, buffalo, tigers, bulls, wolves, and leopards. The gladiators' clothing, particularly the helmets, were likely, not true and were stereotypes taken from later periods.<ref>For more on the gladiator games in the Roman Empire, see: Dunkle, R. (2008). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ID6R2CW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00ID6R2CW&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3e1905f472915347388e16545946008c Gladiators: violence and spectacle in ancient Rome].</i>. 1st ed. Harlow, England ; New York: Pearson/Longman.</ref>

In factGladiators, Marcus Aurlieus appointed his son as successor long before he died in 166 (he died in 180 CE), making it clear that Comodus was his choice all along. He also died suggested in Vienna (ancient Vindobona), but the film showed him dying in Germania during the campaign, we're treated like rock stars. Some rumors and stories did circulate that Commodus did kill his father, but this Those who were successful could have been later stories created to malign the emperor Commodus since he was not well liked by the Senategain favors, such as suggested in the filmhaving access to women and even earn their freedom. The appointment of Commodus was controversialHowever, as shown in unlike the film, as Commodus was considered erratic and may have had mental problems, as suggested contests often did not result in the filmdeath of contestants. From historical documentsAnimals, mainly in the writings of Cassius Diofact, there is indication that Marcus Aurlieus was disappointed were more often killed in his son, suggesting he had some trepidation about himcontests. However, it is hard to tell what is exactly accurate as Commodus This may have been more disliked by de-emphasized in the upper classesfilm. The emperors did use their thumbs at times to determine if a gladiator should die or live, while some indication suggests he although we do not know if this was actually popular with thumbs up for a living and thumbs down for getting killed. It could have been the armyother way around.<ref>For more on Commodus and his lifegladiator traditions, see: AdamsWinkler, GM. WM. (2013Ed.). (, 2004). <i>The Emperor Commodus[https: gladiator, Hercules or a tyrant//www.amazon.com/gp/product/1405110422/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1405110422&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=0a0147f269beb6328eb63b9d10801203 Gladiator: film and history].</i> Boca RatonMalden, MA: BrownWalker PressBlackwell Pub.</ref>

The Colosseum (Figure 1) was the premier event for gladiator contests after its construction in 70-80 CE. Ambitious trainers, similar to how the film depicts it, would try to situate themselves to compete in main events that promised large financial rewards. Like sport today, the gladiator games had a lot of money exchange hands around the events. This revolved around gambling on the matches but also rewarded the owners from the gladiator slaves, which is one reason why the mass killing of gladiators may not have occurred that often.<ref>For more on the Colosseum and venues for gladiator contests, see: Aldrete, G. S. (2008). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806140275/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=The Gladiator Contests0806140275&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=49b67742ce99855243d1ef3bdb379b40 Daily life in the Roman city: Rome, Pompeii, and Ostia] (Oklahoma paperback ed).</i> Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press.</ref>

Gladiators, as suggested Something not shown in the film, were treated like rock startsis that gladiator contests may have looked familiar to us. Those who Gladiators often were successful could gain favorsused to sponsoring products, such as having access to women and even earn their freedombillboards often hung in the stadium where contests would have been held. HoweverThese advertisements were not shown in the film, unlike mostly because the producers thought film, often contests did audiences would not result believe it since it is so similar to our modern sports.<ref>For more on advertising in the death of contestants. AnimalsRoman world, in factsee: Bomgardner, were often killed in contestsD. L. (2002). <i>[https://www.amazon. This may have been decom/gp/product/0415301858/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0415301858&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-emphasized in 20&linkId=23f8ea6b9900470adc695008478dd264 The story of the filmRoman amphitheater].</i> London; New York: Routledge, pg. 55.</ref>

The Colosseum (Figure 1) In the film, after Maximus was captured trying to revolt against the emperor. He was shown as fighting the premier emperor in a one on one contest. This match would have never happened. First, Commodus died in a coup event for gladiator contests after its construction in 70-80 CE. Ambitious trainers192 rather than at Maximus's hand, similar to how as shown in the final combat scene in the film depicts it. Second, Commodus, would try to situate themselves so they could compete as shown in main events that promised large financial rewards. Similar to sport todaythe movie, did fight in the gladiator games had a lot of money that would exchange hands around the eventarena. This revolved around gambling on the However, he probably only fought in events but also rewards earned by the owners of the gladiator slaveswhere he has assured victories against animals or crippled captives. The film does suggest this as Commodus does mortally wound Maximus before their fight when Maximus was tied and unable to defend himself.

Something not shown Nevertheless, historians indicate he liked to think of himself as Hercules, and even began to dress like him in the film is that gladiator contests may have looked familiar to us. Gladiators often were used to sponsor products and billboards often hung in stadium rather than as the emperor, where contests would have been held. This was not shown he wore bright emperor clothing in the film.<ref>For more on Commodus' gladiator contests, mostly because the producers thought audience would not believe it since it is so similar to our modern sports.see: Adams 2013: 242</ref>

[[File====Related DailyHistory.org Articles===={{#dpl:0 Colosseum - Rome 111001 (2).jpegcategory=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|thumbnailorder=descending|Figure 1. The Colosseum was the premier event for gladiator contests, where advertisement and billboards also hung to promote products.]]count=12}}</div>

==Main CharactersWho was Maximus Decimus Meridius Based On?==<u>Maximus Decimus Meridius</u>: Maximus is an entirely fictitious character but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. He declared himself emperor shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle. Still, he was eventually killed after it became clear Aurelius was not dead. A general named Maximus lived in the late Roman Empire who may have inspired Gladiator's story of a revolt against an emperor.<ref>For more on Avidius, see: Canduci, Alexander (2010). <i>Triumph & Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of Rome’s Immortal Emperors.</i> Roman imperial biographies. Sydney: Pier 9.</ref>

==Who were the Real People portrayed in Gladiator?==<u>Maximus Decimus MeridiusCommodus</u>: Maximus While Commodus is an entirely fictitious charactera historical figure who did hold gladiator contests and may have been mentally unstable, but seems to be based on several charactersas depicted in the film, including Avidius Cassiushe did, who was a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. In fact, he rule the Roman Empire for 12 years. Among the odd things Commodus did declare was rename the months and legions after himself emperor shortly after Aurelius' death, suggesting a brief power struggle, but (he had twelve names he was eventually killedwent by). There was a general He even named Maximus who lived in the late Roman Empire who people after himself. He was purported to have held naked gladiator contests, which would have outraged some Roman citizens and contributed to his bad reputation and eventual downfall. He may have aspired to revolt against killed 100 lions in a day during his gladiator contests and other exotic animals such as elephants. Even by Roman standards, the empirelevel of slaughter may have caused outrage.

<u>Commodus</u>: While Commodus is a historical figure who did hold gladiator contests and may have been mentally unstable, as depicted in the film, he did, in fact, rule for 12 years. Among the odd things Commodus did was rename the months and legions after himself (he had twelve names he went by). He even named the Roman people after himself. He was purported to have held naked gladiator contests, which would have outraged some Roman citizens and may have contributed to his bad reputation and eventual downfall. He may have killed 100 lions in a day during his gladiator contests and other exotic animals such as elephants. Even by Roman standards, the level of slaughter may have caused outrage. He even started killing crippled many disabled people in the arena, which may have been on one of the final straws before his own assassinationhe was assassinated. However, his political actions were also likely unwise, as he . He tried to declare himself consul and gladiator, where the former is an elected position and the later something latter usually only slaves should hold. Narcissus, his wrestling partner, eventually killed him in 192 as part of a larger conspiracyby Roman leaders.<ref>For more on Commodus, see: Adams 2013. </ref>

<u>Lucilla</u>: She was Commodus' sister , and in the film , she was depicted as trying to encourage the conspiracy against her brother. She did, in fact, conspire to kill Commodus but failed in 182, leading to her death. Unlike what the film depicts, Lucilla was probably ambitious to be a co-ruler with her husband(she is shown as a widow in the movie), which is why she may have conspiredagainst her brother. However, she may not have not considered herself as a possible ruler until she witnessed her erratic brother's behavior. Unlike the film, Commodus probably did not try seek to have incestous relations an incestuous relationship with his sister.<ref>For more on Lucilla, see: Lightman, M., Lightman, B., & Lightman, M. (2008).<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0816031126/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0816031126&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e0745e365189f3743bd8492787d85ed5 A to Z of Ancient Greek and Roman women].</i> (Rev. ed). New York: Facts On File, pg. 195.</ref>

<u>Marcus Aurelius</u>: The emperor's relatively positive reputation has likely contributed to his depiction in the film as a wise ruler (i.e., the philosopher-king) who tried to avoid appointing his son. However, the destructive character of despite his son may have caused later depictions of 's destructive nature, Marcus Aurelius not being content with was willing to choose Commodus to be his son succeeding himsuccessor and heir. The film depicts Marcus Aurelius lamenting his many wars, but in reality , Marcu Aurelius would have seen these wars as his duty to Rome. He was influenced by stoic Stoic philosophy, which believed in wisdom, courage, justice , and temperance.<ref>For more on Marcus Aurelius as the philosopher-king, see: McLynn, F. (2010). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844135276/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1844135276&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b7e495cc41272b5a97414fb499bdbe9c Marcus Aurelius: Warrior, philosopher, emperor].</i> London: Vintage Books.</ref>

There were many historical inaccuracies in the film and some of the possibly accurate events borrow from less than certain sources. In fact, many The historians who were hired to advise on the movie quit or refused to be given credits because of the many historical inaccuracies the final version had. Nevertheless, as with most historical dramas, this movie was more about entertainment than historical narrative.  The general overall narrative of a somewhat crazy emperor in Commodus was correct. Oddly enough, the form reality of Commodus embellishing in gladiator games was true and in fact reality ' reign was probably more outrageous than what was shown in the film, as the emperor often made himself into dress as a gladiator and fought numerous contests with animals and others, such as wounded gladiators. If you want to learn more about gladiators, check out our article [[How Did Gladiatorial Games Evolve in Ancient Rome?]] for more information.  ====References====<references/>