The epic won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe. Gladiator kills off the titular character at the end because it's the only way to properly fulfill his character arc. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. The Romans loved to debate over which attribute was more important. Cookies help us deliver our Services. His battle . Lucilla and her son were definitely in danger of being killed by Commodus. But it fictionalizes history to make it look theatrical and sentimentally evocative. His wife and son were both murdered by Commodus and burnt the whole village. He has obviously overheard his mother describe Maximus as the saviour of Rome without really understanding what this means. Mostly it just happened at random even to people close to him. The ending of Ridley Scotts Oscar-winning epic Gladiator has tugged at the heartstrings for the last 20 years thanks to the death of Maximus (Russell Crowe) during his climactic duel in the Colosseum against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). From the design of Maximus' armor to the small round shield and short sword he carried, it can besurmized that Maximus was a Hoplomachus gladiator. Since gladiators were favored amongst all other forms of entertainment, they were also prepared for that same level of professionalism. Killing off Maximus at the end ofGladiator was undoubtedly the right choice, but despite the inherent complications, there are still talks of a potential sequel. Once you adjust your expectations, you can settle in and enjoy Gladiator 2 for the supernatural quest movie that it is. Maximus continued to do so until Proximo offered him to go to Rome to fight in the Colosseum. Varieties for 2021 Scott is currently. I subscribe to believeing that it was Cicero. Tomatoes are a great choice for beginners as they're easy to care for and c, 2021 Tomato Varieties to Try in Your Garden this Year | Varieties for Storage & Other Tomatoes Available, Tomatoes are a popular and versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Didn't all this happen awful quickly? while playing with his uncle,and then he tells the whole story What terrible burden for a child to carry once he realizes what he's done___________________ "Do you think thats the way it is with our dreams and our nightmares? We saw in the begining Maximius told her about her comfort with telling untruths. By now they were highly organized and equally ferocious. As shown in Maximus' first fight as a gladiator, some battles in the arena served as re-enactments of popular battles where the Roman army emerged victorious. Commodus made plans for Maximus to fight Tigris of Gaul for the next game, striving for Maximus to die. Two hours into Ridley Scott's . Incidentally, in the first draft of Gladiator,Maximus was originally going to benamed Narcissus. Musician Nick Cave wrote a time-travel saga in which Maximus is not a gladiator and an emperor laments his lightning-struck giraffe, writes Nicholas Barber. Though he is a fictional character, it is clear thatGladiator'sMaximus is heavily inspired by several historical Roman figures and the life of a gladiator in ancient times. Who betrayed the gladiator? Synopsis. In Reginald Roses Twelve Angry Men, the equilibrium [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. In the end,I think that maybe Lucilla was obliged to tell Commodus about Max's plansCommodus might have made blackmail about Lucius but Lucilla says "For your loyalty, soldier" to Cicero, too. If you fit this description, you can use our free essay samples to generate ideas, get inspired and figure out a title or outline for your paper. Additionally, watering daily with s, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. ":"I sent for you"for instance),Lucius confirms eveything at the end:he says "I am Maximus the savior of Rome!" The courage to face mortal combat, the contempt for death, and the courage it takes to meet it honorably in the end. He also credits Scott for saying, "This character is about one act of pure vengeance for his wife and child, and, once hes accomplished that, what does he do?" Of course, he's the only character who would be of an appropriate age in fifteen years time. Maximus left the arena and was greeted by his loyal servant Cicero. Only by thinking outside the box several miles outside the box. What is the streaming release date of Gladiator (2000) in Canada? With a couple of her friends, Sophia started The Guerrilla Review, writing reviews on books she read and editing articles. Cruz Captain lucky/v, Tips for Successful Tomato Farming in Hot and Humid Climates, Tomato farming in hot and humid climates can be a challenge, but with the right preparation and care, you can still have a successful harvest. In that same year he brought the campaigns along the Danube to an abrupt halt and negotiated a weak peace treaty with the barbarian tribes. This Article is related to: Film and tagged Gladiator, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe. Enterprise was on deep alert after discovering a sleeper cell in space with seventy-two unconscious super-humans inside (Coon, 1967). This is the point in which the movie detours from actual history. This valiant general of the Roman army is a dead man. Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and a Best Actor statue for Crowe, and Reed was posthumously nominated for a BAFTA award for his role as Proximo. He lives in Georgia with his two dogs where he enjoys reading, gaming, and the outdoors. On the other hand, perhaps his bonkers yet ingenious screenplay wasnt too far off the mark. - Terry Gilliams cursed Quixote film is here, - The tale of Nicolas Cage almost playing Superman. It may sound like the premise of a Terry Gilliam film or a Neil Gaiman graphic novel, rather than a blockbuster sequel, but Caves Orphean adventure sort of makes sense. The film might have been the start of a late-career comeback for the 61-year old; instead, it became his final completed work. Hey, aramai, Cicero and the legions weren't in Bosnia, but in Ostia which is Rome's seaport. Its clear that Markus Aurelius has been preparing Commodus to become emperor. A good comparison of how a gladiator was picked and cared for is the same way racehorses are treated today. Slaves who were chosen to become gladiators were always in perfect physical condition. The real Commodus was not sympathetic at all. Jupiter explains that one of their number, Hephaestus, has betrayed them, and is now preaching the gospel of another god who is more powerful than all of them. Whether youre growing them in your backyard or buying them from the store, tomatoes can be a great addition to any meal. Or "Proximo'? With 2021 in full swing, many gardeners are looking for new varieties of plants to grow. Russell Crowe played the lead role in Gladiator (2000). He was played by Russell Crowe in the 2000 film Gladiator. I may be mistaken, but didn't "Max" tell "commodus" that all he wanted to do was go home? These scenes bother me more than "Max's " death scene. "for all else is dust and air. Maximus was captured by a band of drifting thieves while asleep. Tomato enthusiasts have long debated the merits of determinate versus indeterminate varieties. Didn't "max" and the soldiers that murdered his wife and son leave almost at the same time? Years later, he told an interviewer, I enjoyed writing it very much because I knew on every level that it was never going to get made. And maybe this was the most sensible attitude to have. As well as meeting his now-adult son, Maximus bumps into his old sidekick Juba (who was played in the original film by Djimon Hounsou). This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. It tells the story of Roman general turned gladiatorMaximusDecimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe) who seeks to avenge the death of his family after they were killed by the malicious son of the emperor, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix). To the shock and awe of many fans of the film, Australian musician and author, Nick Cave, produced an infamousGladiator 2 script, but it was emphatically if graciously rejected by his good friend, Russell Crowe. -Peter But, instead, death and entrapment await, as the embittered and blind with rage rival rewards Rome's hero with an order for his execution, only to wind up as a slave to the former gladiator, Proximo. Before he dies, he asks for political reforms, for his gladiator allies to be freed, and for Senator Gracchus to be reinstated. Failing him must have been an awful fate. Why didn't Cicero say "Run Maximus" instead of just calling "Maximus". His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. Another chat with the Roman Gods? The Praetorian Guards were well aware of the plan at this point and they had all paths of escape blocked off, and that was easily seen when they closed in on Maximus. Discussing the decision to kill the lead, Russell Crowe referenced one ofGladiator's best lines, stating, "That 'My name is Maximus' speech is basically a suicide note." 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help you just now, The movie Gladiator was released in 2000, directed by Ridley Scott and starred Russell Crowe as General Maximus Decimus Meridius. More than his master, he failed his friend - an even harder burden to bear.___________________ "Do you think thats the way it is with our dreams and our nightmares? The pivotal 2000 historicaldrama follows the betrayed general, Maximus, on a quest for revenge against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the usurper emperor of Rome, who murdered his wife and son. But these scenes also bring back some of the characters and political intrigue from Gladiator. In Gladiator, Commodus is performed perfectly by Joaquin Phoenix. But it has one glaring, fatal flaw: at no point does Maximus ever step inside the Colosseum. Ridley Scott's Gladiator famously kills off Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the end, but the original plan for the ending was very different. Gracchus: General. Where do you want us to send this sample? Rose encapsulates 1950s America [], In a hot, 1950s jury room overlooking the financial district of a city, tensions arise as 12 jurors must decide the verdict for a boy accused of murdering his father. Was Gladiator's Maximus A Real Person? NOTIFICATIONS. This year, many gardeners are looking for new varieties of tomatoes to try out in their gardens. either. But by telling Commodus what he was already suspecting, she saved her son's life and her own. It depicts the way in which economic, social and cultural factors can have a significant impact on the process of justice. Finally I got someone who looks at the whole movie and the buliding of Lucilla's character rather than the last couple scenes only. Cicero apologized to Maximus because he had failed Maximus by allowing himself to be caught, even though it wasn't his fault and he didn't know. The movie begins on what was the final battle of these long wars. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and its effects can be seen all around us. In open battle the Romans were unstoppable. He would be outfitted with the best weapons and armor that money could buy and the man he faced would be handicapped and armed with a dull blade. In the '70s, Reed was a frequent drinking partner of the Who's famously insane drummer Keith "The Loon" Moon, and by later in that decade and on into the '80s, journalists and talk show hosts were far more likely to ask the actor about his drinking habits than his latest film project (to the actor's endless annoyance). Crowe said filming the speech turned out to be riddled with annoyance because his helmet kept making his hair look funny when it called in the script to take the protective gear off. While Gladiator is a historical film, the main character Maximus is fictional. He couldnt care about anything else especially ruling the empire. I would agree with you but I cannot separate her being a mother from her being an emperor's daughter. To reach "Maxs'" Farm. This forum is a gathering place for Gladiator fans as well as all movie fans to discuss anything related to this movie! The protagonist's unambiguous death at the end complicated this notion, however, and so a sequel has yet to be made. The original screenplay, however, did not see theGladiatormovie finish with a death scene, but rather allowed Maximus to live on, having completed his quest for revenge. Excellent point. Thus it appears at the opening of Gladiator: already blessed in the hereafter, symbolized by the images of an antique nature strangely pacified. He was later betrayed by Lucillaand was killed as a result. This is perhaps the most significant realization the director could've had, and it ended up saving the movie. After crossing the desert, Maximus and Juba were taken to a market; where he was sold to Proximo, an old gladiator. General Maximus' success in battle earns the favour of an elderly Emperor at the expense of the Emperor's son. Time-travelling, dimension-hopping and anti-war philosophising are all very well. When they were in the tent? Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas. . Commodus takes over power and demotes Maximus, one of the. Did "Quintus" say "ride four days and kill him? So not really a sequel at all, then. Maximus succumbs to his wounds. Maximus refused to practice fighting and removed the legion's mark from his shoulder while in captivity. Gladiator features several hallucinogenic sequences in which Maximus dreams of the afterlife, Elysium, and runs a hand over its fields of golden wheat (Credit: Alamy). She already recognises her brother as her father's murderer and he did it because his father chose to not name him as emperor. I know the pretorians took Max out to kill him, but wasnt the timing kind of close? Released in 2000, Ridley Scott'sGladiatoris an epic film about revenge, loss and justice. This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before, Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts. A lot of money went into these games, so the Romans wanted to put on the best possible show. Maybe Gladiator 2 was never going to happen, and so Cave was right to indulge his own enthusiasm for theological debate along with the kind of millennia-spanning outrageousness that would suit a Darren Aronofsky film more than a Ridley Scott one. We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. That we have to keep feeding them for them to stay alive? Jupiter offers him a deal: if he kills Hephaestus, then he will be reunited with his wife and son in the golden wheat fields of Elysium. It starts here: By the way, welcome aramai and St Shifting Sand, a fellow Canadian! 2021 Aug 06 [cited 2023 Mar 4]. I would think that he appoligises for failing Maximus but the time from the "busy bee told me everything" to Maximus' capture was almost immediate in the movie and the capture seemed to be too well orchestrated. Maximus removed his helmet and revealed his true identity. Or Cicero getting killed. Its armies now focus solely on defending its borders from barbarian invaders. Gladiator: Maximus' Betrayal I was perplexed why in an instant - Maximus' men - as well as Quintis (second in command,) betrayed Maximus. To prepare Commodus, Marcus Aurelius brought on his campaigns against the barbarians at a young age in order to school him on the lessons of war and ruling the people for much of his childhood. In the story of Gladiator, the Roman general Maximus is betrayed by the evil Emperor Commodus. But then, suddenly, it isnt. Next:Gladiator 2 Should Never See The Light Of Day. Summary: When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge. Historical Influences Explained, Gladiator: Why Maximus Has A Wolf In Battle (& What Happened To It? In fact, shooting the film was often nothing short of chaotic, as was revealed in a recent oral history published byVariety. The emperor Marcus Aurelius has been fighting a series of bloody wars against the Germanic tribes along the river Danube. Crowe was the star of the Ridley Scott sword and sandals epic, playing the lead role of Maximus, a Roman general who is betrayed when the Emperor dies, and sent to work as a slave. Additionally, watering daily with s, Estlers Mortgage Lifter: An Heirloom Tomato Variety Perfect for Home Gardeners, Gardening is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that many people enjoy. More importantly, Gladiator 2 revisits the Colosseum, where the emperor watches a mock naval battle in an amphitheatre which is flooded with water and stocked with 100 alligators: a comment, perhaps, on the need for sequels to be bigger and more spectacular than their predecessors. Maximus led the Roman Legions for the Emperor Marcus Aurelius during his wars against Germania. Without Quintus the events of the film would never have spun into motion. Related:Gladiator: Why Maximus Was Called The Spaniard. Sometimes this would all be in the same week. Through these influences, viewers are able to get a glimpse of what it was like for a person in Ancient Rome. Scotts plan was to commission John Logan, one of the screenwriters of Gladiator, to write a sequel which would be set in ancient Rome, but which wouldnt feature either Crowe or gladiators. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Despite the nefarious tactics, Maximus is able to slay Commodus before succumbing to his wounds and joining his family in the afterlife. She thought Commudus wanted children of his own and he wanted her to bear the child. However, its ending does not truly reflect the consequences of Commoduss rule. Of course, the five burly guys immediately challenged the famously boozy actor to a drinking contest, so Reed proceeded to out-drink them all, by some accounts downing about eight pints of beer, a dozen shots of rum, half of a bottle of whiskey, and some cognac for good measure (via Guide Me Malta). All through Gladiator, Maximus longs to see his family again, so there is a certain logic to a plot which keeps that longing alive, even when the person doing the longing isnt. Commodus takes power and strips rank from Maximus, one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Am I making myself clear?. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Maximus's Normal World has been that of Rome, as ruled by the wise and benevolent Marcus Aurelius, but it's already beginning to crumble: Aurelius is dying and his unstable son waits in the wings. I tend to belive that it was all arranged by the Senator who worked with Commodus. The man was a rare breed of actor, andGladiator, a rare breed of Hollywood epic, is dedicated to his memory. He accepted the post, but Commodus killed his Father in secret and later became the Emperor. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus, and a power struggle leaves Maximus and his family condemned to death. All Rights Reserved. Here's which Roman figures inspired & influenced the iconic character. Gladiator. Following almost immediately after Commoduss death, Rome would be hit by years of civil war by pretenders fighting for the throne. In a fit of jealous rage the son slays his father before turning his anger towards Maximus. The way in which Reed made his exit sounds like an urban legend of the most ridiculous type, but his final hours are quite well-documented. Jump to page: How long did it take for the soldiers to get to "Max" farm? IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Also, think of how many times we say "sorry" to people. In the movie Commodus dies in a pretty dignified way. All rights reserved. At the time, Cave had written just one produced screenplay, John Hillcoats Ghosts of the Civil Dead, and he was concentrating on his music career. The Mill's face-swap can be seen as a proof-of-concept for later, more dramatic effects, such as the "de-aging" tech often employed by Marvel Studios, or even the wholesale recreation of long-gone actors, like the digital version of legendary actor Peter Cushing which was used to bring back Grand Moff Tarkin forRogue One: A Star Wars Story. They would usually pit someone who was agile and quick against someone who was heavy and strong. Then he could have formulated his plan. My arguments come from trying to understand the characters in the movie and what was done to build those characters. Cicero didn't say "Run Maximus" because he knew by the time Maximus was in view, there's was no escape. He was betrayed by Quintus, and was sent to be executed in the woods. He was so obsessed with gladiators that he wanted to be one and went into the arena to fight them. The character of Maximus is also influenced by the lives ofgladiators. FORUMS. The setting of the movie takes place in 180 AD the peak of the golden age of Rome. Read about our approach to external linking. Well, no. Commodus stood in shock, after believing Maximus was dead, and let the Gladiators live after the crowd began to cheer Maximus' name. Does he end up running a fucking pizzeria by the Colosseum? He has a singular purpose, which is to meet his wife in the afterlife and apologize for not being there for her. Summer 2000 A.D. So, [director Ridley Scott] solves it by going into a massive close-up, when I turn to face Commodus its just forehead and chin and out of frame you cant see the Teletubby hair wiggling in the wind.. Gladiator (Latin pronunciation: [gladiat]) is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Mller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Are you interested in getting a customized paper? Though the film is based on historical events and even features real historical figures, the lead character Maximuswas an amalgamation of several Roman historical figures. Screenwriter David Franzoni, who calledGladiator's production process, "A very '60s way to make a film," recalled spending days on the set, "Drinking whiskey and smoking cigars" before staying up into the wee hours of the night writing new pages. No sooner has Maximus tracked down Hephaestus than he is zapped out of the stygian gloom and into the world of flesh and blood, a decade or two after his death. His family is murdered, and he becomes a slave, and then sold off to become a gladiator. Maximus fought with Juba, Hagen and several other gladiators as "Barbarians" of Carthage in the first game in the arena. Forget you ever knew me, and never come back here again. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/summary-and-analysis-of-the-movie-gladiator/. By clicking Continue, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. Released in 2000, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is an epic film about revenge, loss and justice. He was given his figures for prayer, Maximus then asked for Cicero to tell Lucilla he would meet Graccus. All he wants is to be with his family again, and death grants him that satisfaction. When the battle is over, Marcus Aurelius summons his son Commodus to the front. Getting Started The Gladiator Movie Forum > General > Gladiator General Discussion > Who betrayed Maximus in the end? This is because these werent the same barbarians Rome had successfully defeated in the past. Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name. Just to quibble for a moment, Hephaestus is a Greek god, not a Roman one, so Cave should really have named him Vulcan. So when Markus Aurelius declares Maximus to be the protector of Rome, it is not only a betrayal to Commodus but admitted to the entire known world that Markus Aurelius doesnt value or even love his son. He later avenged his family in the Colosseum of Rome by killing Commodus during the 150 days of games. The story centers on the now-adult Lucius, Commodus nephew and the son of Connie Nielsens character Lucilla from Scotts original film. He was a Roman General who led his legions to many victories. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. It cant be stated enough how seriously Romans took these games and the amount of preparation that went into their execution. Why wasn't he in Bosnia too? In 180 A.D. Rome, the weary and dying emperor, Marcus Aurelius, names his loyal and triumphant general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, his successor and protector of Rome, much to the dismay of his haughty and unbalanced son, Commodus. Thank you for clarifying the Bosnia mistake I made Elena C. I must say that I see the points you all are making, but no one seems to think my points make sense. Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when the Emperor's ambitious son, Commodus, murders his . Cicero apologized to Maximus because he had failed Maximus by allowing himself to be caught, even though it wasn't his fault and he didn't know. Shouting "Roma victor!" as his forces attack, General Maximus Decimus Meridius ( Russell Crowe) leads his Roman legions to victory against Germanic barbarians in the year 180 A.D., ending a prolonged war and earning the esteem of elderly Emperor Marcus Aurelius ( Richard Harris ). In fact it was Marcus Aurelius who reinstated the succession by male heir policy that all his predecessors had abandoned. In an interview withEmpire, Crowe revealed that the script underwent numerous major changes leading up to production, with himself and Scott making most of the rewrites. The powerful general is unable to save his family, and his loss of will allows him to get captured and put into the Gladiator games until he dies. He was envied by Marcus' son Commodus, who was a coward. Maximus and his subordinate Quintus defeated the Bararians in a battle. Gladiators were classed into variousgroups according to what type of weapon they used and what armor they wore. This character is about one act of pure vengeance for his wife and child, and, once hes accomplished that, what does he do? Crowe said. His [], The play Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose contains many elements that examine the implementation of the American justice system in 1957 and help shape the deliberations of the case. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. After murdering Markus Aurelius, Commodus prepares a series of highly expensive games in his fathers honor. ), Gladiator 2 Should Never See The Light of Day, 7 Fairytale Princesses That Still Need Disney Adaptations, How Phineas Nigellus Black Fixes A Harry Potter Movie Plot Hole, Star Wars Canon Is Still Missing The Best Ever Sith Lord. And if you liked this story,sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called If You Only Read 6 Things This Week. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. In short, if ever there was a film that didnt cry out for a sequel, its Gladiator. In my opinion, it was Lucilla who was forced to betray Maximus only for the reason of saving her son's life which was the most important person in her life. A Critical Review Of The Movie Gladiator Directed By Ridley Scott Essay, The Part Roman Elites Played in Gladiatorial Spectacles Essay, Guilty Or not Guilty: the Delicate Balance of Seeking for Justice in 12 Angry Men Essay, Analysis of Underlying Themes in Twelve Angry Men Essay, How Opposing Forces Are Interconnected, Interdependent and Complementary Essay, From Villain to victim as highlighted in A clockwork Orange Essay, The Cultural Allegories behind Twelve Angry Men Essay. Gladiator Quintisu's Betrayal. He had a farm where his son and wife lived. When it comes to yellow tomatoes, Carolina Gold is a popular determinate variety. Moderator:JamesMouse. Now when Maximus asked Cicero where the army was he said in Bosnia. Director Ridley Scott's 2000 historical epic Gladiator is a stone-cold classic, but it wasn't without its share of problems. Maximus: My name is Gladiator. Also, in . At this stage, the script focuses on a band of early Christians dodging the Roman authorities, just as they did in the recent Mary Magdalene biopic which co-starred Phoenix. Had he been allowed to live out his days, it would have been a much more hollow victory with the audience aware that the rest of Maximus' life involves nothing but empty solitude and grief. He was portrayed by Tommy Flanagan in the 2000 film Gladiator. These unhonorable fights caused a decline in his popularity with the Roman people. That helmet was full of static electricity and every time I took it off the hairs on the top of my head stood up, Crowe said. The first step is to understand the causes of climate change and how we can reduce our impact on the environment. This essay has been submitted by a student. Estler's Mortgage Lifter tomato is one of the most popular heirloom varieties that is perfect for home gardeners. Russell Crowe revealed how Gladiator 2 would have brought back Maximus, saying that the method was distinctly biblical in its scope. After a minor adjustment to the ever-evolving script, two scenes were shot which would complete Proximo's arc. Set in 180 AD,Gladiatorshowcases a well of historical depth. Marcus Aurelius wanted him to succeed him and make Rome a republic again, but Marcus was murdered by his son Commodus, who ordered the Praetorian Guard to kill Maximus and his family after Maximus refused to swear loyalty to him. At the age of 15 Commodus became the joint emperor with his father. Confidential. Why Gladiator Killed Off Maximus At The End (& What The Original Plan Was), Gladiator: Why Maximus Was Called The Spaniard, Gladiator 2 Should Never See The Light Of Day. For the most part there is peace and prosperity throughout the empire Rome is at the extent of its power and influence.