Film Lore

In Gladiator, victorious general Maximus Decimus Meridias has been named keeper of Rome and its empire by dying emperor Marcus Aurelius, so that rule might pass from the Caesars back to the people and Senate. Marcus' neglected and power-hungry son, Commodus, has other ideas, however. Escaping an ordered execution, Maximus hurries back to his home in Spain, too late to save his wife and son from the same order. Taken into slavery and trained as a gladiator by Proximo, Maximus lives only that he might someday take his revenge and fulfill the dying wish of his emperor. The time soon comes when Proximo's troupe is called to Rome to participate in a marathon of gladiator games held at the behest of the new emperor, Commodus. Once in Rome, Maximus wastes no time in making his presence known, and is soon involved in a plot to overthrow the emperor with his former-love Lucilla, Commodus' sister, after whom he lusts, and also the widowed mother of Lucius, heir to the empire after his uncle, and democratic-minded senator, Gracchus

General Maximus- Russell Crowe
The great Roman General Maximus has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won, Maximus dreams of home, wanting only to return to his wife and son; however, the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius has one more duty for the general to assume the mantle of his power. However the Emperor is killed by his son before Maximus can assume his new role. Fearing the General the new Emperor Commodus orders Maximus's death and the death of his entire family. The General escapes but his family is brutally murdered. Shortly after this Maximus is sold into slavery and forced to compete in Gladitorial games. He soon proves to be a worthy opponent in the ring and when the games moves to Rome Maximus sees an opertunity to avenge his families murder and remove Commodus from the throne of Rome. However the Emperor quickly learns of Maximus's new identity and seeks to end the Generals life before he can threaten him. Eventually the two meet in the great Gladitorial games where both are killed in a vicious and bloody battle. Maximus gains his revenge and ultimately is reunited with his beloved family in death.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius -Richard Harris
The Ruler of the Roman Empire is growing old. Fearing that he will have to leave the Empire to his son Commodus the Emperor decides to hand control of the Roman Empire back to the Roman people in the form of the Senate. However he can not just hand power over stright away and as such Marcus decides to make his greatest General Maximus protector of Rome. In essence it would be Maximus who would eventually see to this transfer of power. However Marcus's son Commodus does not share his fathers views and upon hearing that Maximus is to succeed him in power Commosdus kills his own father and assumes the title of Emperor before Marcus can make his plans for Rome known.

Commodus - Joaquin Phoenix
The son and heir to the Emperor of Rome. Commodus had always taken it for granted that upon his fathers death he would assume the mantle of Emperor of Rome. However upon hearing that not he but General Maximus will assume this role and subsequently hand power back to the senate, Commodus loses control and murders his father before anyone learns of the Emperors plans. Then in order to silence the only other person who can stand against him he orders Maximus and his families death. However unknown to Commodus Maximus escapes but is soon sold into slavery where he becomes a Gladiator. While this is happening Commodus orders a period of rejoiceing in his dead fathers name in an effort to cover up how he came to power. One and most important of these games is that of the Gladiatorial combat. It is here that Maximus and Commodus meet. Commodus fears Maximu's growing popularity to the citizens of Rome and in order to end Maximus's threat Commodus challenges Maximus to combat in the arena. However things do not not go according to plan and both Commodus and Maximus ultimately kill each other. Thus Maximus accomplishes the late Emperors final wishes and returns power to the Roman Senate.

Lucilla - Connie Nielsen
The sister of Commudus and the daughter of the Emperor Marcus Arrilius. Even from the outset it is obvious Lucilla is the stronger of the Emperors children. Infact shortly before being murdered by his son the Emperor Aurelius comments that if only Lucilla had been a man she would have made the perfect heir to the throne. Unfortunately Commudus murders his father and Lucilla's life soon become a nightmare for herself and her son as Commudus slowly decends into madness. Lucilla however soon comes up with a plan with senators of Rome to aid General Maximus once thought dead and now returned in the form as a great Gladiator in his bid to end Commudus's reign of terror. Ultimately Maximus and Commudus do battle in the Gladitorial games and kill each other, thus freeing Lucilla and her son from the terror of Commudus.

Proximo - Oliver Reed
A trainer and owner of Gladiatorial slaves. Proximo himself was once a great Gladiator who through his feats in the ring was eventually granted his freedom by Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Now he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, dealing in organizing Gladitorial combat, but unlike his time as a Gladiator Proximo finds his warriors doing battle not in the great Amphitheater in Rome but in the back water contry arena's. This all changes when the new Emperor Commudus decides in order to make his decidedly odd accension to the throne less questionable, he orders a number of games to honour his dead father. Proximo soon finds himself caught in the middle of a power struggle unpon arriving at Rome and learning that one of his Gladiators is General Maximus. The one man who can stand between Commudus and complete domination of the largest Empire the World has ever known.