Maximus decimus meridius wikipedia

Crowe portrays Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed when Commodus , the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius , murders his father and seizes the throne.

Maximus gladiator true story

Reduced to slavery , Maximus becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks of the arena, determined to avenge the murders of his family and the emperor. The screenplay, initially written by Franzoni, was inspired by the Daniel P. Mannix novel Those About to Die. The script was acquired by DreamWorks Pictures , and Scott signed on to direct the film.

Principal photography began in January and wrapped in May of that year. Production was complicated by the script being rewritten multiple times and by the death of Oliver Reed before production was finished. Gladiator had its world premiere in Los Angeles, California, on May 1, A sequel, Gladiator II , was released in November Emperor Marcus Aurelius tells Maximus that his own son, Commodus , is unfit to rule and that he wishes Maximus to succeed him, as regent , to restore the Roman Republic.

Maximus decimus meridius meaning

Angered by this decision, Commodus secretly assassinates his father. Commodus proclaims himself the new emperor and requests loyalty from Maximus, who refuses. Maximus is arrested by Praetorian Guards led by Quintus, who tells him that he and his family will die. Maximus kills his captors and, wounded, rides for his home near Turgalium , where he finds his wife and son murdered.

Maximus buries them and collapses from his injuries.