Summary
Commodus’ death inGladiatorwas actually way worse in real life, as he suffered an entirely different fate. As one of the best gladiator films, Ridley Scott’sGladiatorearned $465.4 million at the box office.The movie was positively received when it was released and has an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes,with Russell Crowe’s performance as Maximus launching a legacy for the actor, and Joaquin Phoenix also being well-received asGladiator’santagonist, Commodus. Furthermore, the success ofGladiator has spawned a sequel titled Gladiator 2 which is set for releasein November, 24 years since the first film’s release.
Gladiatorfollows the lives ofthe real General Maximus Decimus Meridius(Crowe) as he is hunted down and sold into slavery by Commodus (Phoenix), the patricidal jealous son of the emperor, where Maximus vows to get revenge on Commodus for the murder of his wife and son. However, although it is a historical epic film that is based on real life events,Gladiator does contain some historical inaccuracies. One particular inaccuracy surrounds Commodus’ death at the end of the film because,while the Roman emperor was murdered in real life, Commodus’ death was actually much worse than depicted inGladiator.
Commodus Was Poisoned And Strangled In Real Life
His Death Was More Political Than Gladiator Depicted
Commodus was a real Roman emperor who ruled from 177AD until his brutal murder in 192AD, in which he was poisoned and then strangled. During his reign, Commodus often presented megalomaniac tendencies, asking people to depict him in God-like ways. Shortly before his murder, his supposed mistress, Marcia, found a list stating the names of people thatCommodus wanted killed. Discovering that she was on the hit list,Marcia plotted Commodus’ assassination alongside three others. They first poisoned his food, which he vomited up, and when that failed, they sent his wrestling partner, Narcissus, to strangle him in the bath.
The real life Roman emperor was murdered due to his political ineptitude and growing megalomania which was starting to affect those around him.
However, inGladiator, Commodus' death was much more emotional.The real-life Roman emperor was murdered due to his political ineptitudeand growing megalomania, which was starting to affect those around him. Although Commodus' death was changed, the movie touched on this by including the betrayal of his men.Gladiator’sending includes the betrayal of the Praetorian Guard, who are supposed to protect the emperor, but instead stand down in order to let Commodus be killed. This was somewhat reflective of actual historical events, as the Praetorians have been involved in the murder of a number of Roman emperors.
Gladiator’s Changed Commodus Death Makes More Sense For The Movie
The Change Allows Closure For Maximus
However, inGladiator, Commodus’ death was changed from an assassination plot to a revenge mission by Maximus. It made sense to change his death in the movie, asGladiatordepicts Commodus as a vengeful and cunning villain who has a personal vendetta on Maximusfor being chosen as his father’s successor. Instead of a botched assassination plot, it makes more sense for theGladiator movie to endwith Maximus finally getting revenge for the murder of his family because it providesGladiatorwith an epic and emotional finale which outdoes the detached real-life assassination that would not have provided closure.
Gladiator
Cast
Gladiator follows Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor Commodus. After escaping execution, he is enslaved and becomes a gladiator. Set in ancient Rome, the story portrays his struggle for survival and quest for vengeance as he battles for his freedom in the arena.
