Small Historically Accurate Details in ‘Gladiator’

As a historian and film enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of ancient Rome, I must say that Ridley Scott’s Gladiator does a remarkable job of capturing the essence of Marcus Aurelius and the Roman Empire. The portrayal of Marcus Aurelius as a stoic philosopher is particularly compelling, reflecting not only his historical persona but also resonating with modern audiences who appreciate wisdom and leadership.

In the spirit of Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 novel “Those About to Die“, Ridley Scott’s movie Gladiator is more a semi-autobiographical portrayal. The main character, Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russel Crowe), is a fictional figure, yet he is a combination of several real Roman generals and gladiators, with Maximus Decimus Meridius being the most significant influence. The film’s other principal figures — Commodus, Lucilla, Marcus Aurelius — are all genuine historical figures.

In an effort to depict Roman culture and the mid-2nd century AD more authentically than previous epics, director Ridley Scott enlisted several historians as advisors. However, there were a few inaccuracies. For instance, Marcus Aurelius didn’t outlaw gladiatorial games in Rome as portrayed in the film; he only banned them in Antioch. Also, Commodus wasn’t killed in the Colosseum; instead, he was strangled by the wrestler Narcissus in his bath. Despite these errors, the movie manages to capture several small but insightful details accurately.

7 The Symbol of Freedom (Given to a Gladiator after Earning Their Freedom)

As per the book “Sacred Places of Goddesses” written by historian Katen Tate, a former slave received a pileus (cap) as a sign of his newfound freedom. In the movie, Antonius Proximo – a wealthy slave owner who also owns Maximus – can be seen wearing such a cap. It is revealed in the film that Proximo himself was once a Gladiator who gained his freedom by demonstrating courage and bravery. Ultimately, he was freed not by any ordinary individual, but by Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Roman Culture Was More Flexible That Others

As a moviegoer, I found it fascinating that in the grandeur of Rome’s cinematic universe, slaves weren’t doomed forever. Unlike other societies where servitude was a life sentence, Rome offered a glimmer of hope. Freedom could be attained, not just as a distant dream, but through practical means, even something as unexpected as “winning the crowd,” a tactic subtly suggested by Proximo to Maximus.

The book goes on to explain that once a slave had gained their freedom, the master would present them before the court official, explaining the reasons for granting manumission. The magistrate would then symbolically touch the freed slave’s head with a staff, marking the act as complete.

6 The Prolonged Macromannic Wars

The movie “Gladiator” begins with an epic battle scene. In the year 180 CE, General Maximus Decimus Meridius is victorious in battles against Germanic tribes in Vindobona. The Roman Empire was engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Germanic tribes, often referred to as the Macromannic Wars. Much of Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ reign was spent attempting to secure the northern border.

Through the War, We Get a Glimpse of Maximus’ Abilities

Including this battle scene in the movie serves multiple functions:

5 The Use of the Gladius (Tiny Sword)

In a fight or arena, one might think that a long sword would be best for maintaining distance from an opponent. Yet, contrary to this assumption, in ancient Rome, the Gladius – a small sword – was favored due to its ability to inflict more damage and being difficult to block. According to M. C. Bishopl’s book, “The Gladius: The Roman Short Sword,” General Scipio Africanus is known for advocating for this switch to the Gladius following the Battle of Cartagena in 209 BC, as he observed the superior weapons used by their enemies during that battle.

The Fights Are Tenser Because of the Gladius

Movies about the Roman Empire frequently overlook this minor aspect, instead focusing on a diverse array of weapons to put on a show. This practice is tolerated in Hollywood, but Ridley Scott’s Gladiator demonstrated that action sequences can still be engaging if they stay true to history. Apart from Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus, no other film comes close to depicting the kind of warfare and gladiatorial combat shown here. Even minor details like the sword scabbard and belt are portrayed accurately in this film.

4 The Hostility between the Praetorian Guard and the Legion

In the original sentence, it’s not explicitly stated why calling the guard “Praetorian” is an insult. However, assuming that “Praetorian Guards” were a specific group of elite soldiers who served as bodyguards for the Roman emperors, Maximus might be mocking them by using their title in a derisive way, implying disrespect or contempt towards their status, rank, or loyalty. It is also possible that he is expressing his resentment and anger towards the guards for arresting him unjustly.

Praetorian Guards Were Seen as Lazy and Privileged

The Praetorian Guard served as the Roman Emperor’s private security and intelligence unit, safeguarding him from both physical threats and political scheming. They could be compared to the Secret Service, with most of their time spent in comfort and safety within Rome while legionaries faced danger on the battlefield. Consequently, the average legionary held little esteem for the Praetorian Guard.

3 Marcus Aurelius as a Stoic/Philosophical Leader

As a film critic, I’ve noticed that Roman Emperors in movies often fall into two categories: ruthless dictators or benevolent leaders. However, Marcus Aurelius, in the epic film ‘Gladiator’, breaks this mold. Unlike his cinematic counterparts, Marcus Aurelius is a follower of Stoicism and philosophy, a rare trait for an Emperor on the silver screen. His philosophical leanings are evident in ‘Meditations’, a collection of personal writings he penned between 161 and 180 AD, offering a unique perspective on the Roman Empire that sets him apart from other movie Emperors.

Leadership and Wisdom

The depiction of Marcus Aurelius as a stoic philosopher adds a shiny layer to his character, making him one of the most iconic leaders/rulers in movies. and helps audiences understand his choices much better. Stoics believe that “virtue is the only good,” and mostly embrace the concepts of wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation. Maximus has all these qualities and that’s why Marcus favors him. Commodus lacks all these qualities, and that’s why Marcus sees him as unfit to rule.

2 The Use of Auxilia

In the film “Gladiator,” a handful of fighters who don’t use Roman alphabet-based weapons can be noticed, but it’s important to note that this diversity isn’t solely a cinematic fabrication. The concept of employing auxiliaries in combat was actually devised by Emperor Augustus following his restructuring of the Imperial Roman army around 27 BC. By the second century AD, nearly all of the Roman army’s cavalry were comprised of these auxiliaries.

Rome as a Diverse Society

Ridley Scott accurately recognizes that Rome was not an Empire ruled by a single tribe or race; instead, it was a diverse society where people from various backgrounds thrived and felt content. Ancient texts suggest that most auxiliary recruits were volunteers, rather than conscripted individuals, which contradicts the idea that they were exclusively hired for tasks that native Romans found difficult to perform.

1 The Legions of the Rhine Frontier and their role in Determining who Gets Power

The Rhine legions played a significant role in deciding who gained power and how long they held onto it. In the movie, Marcus Aurelius grew more powerful following the stabilization of the region. Due to his accomplishments, he was able to establish his own rules and pursue his wishes (such as wanting Maximus to succeed him) with minimal resistance.

Marcus Aurelius Employs a Working Formula

Control of the Rhine regions was pivotal for preserving Rome’s stability. Wins in the lagoons significantly boosted a general’s standing. For instance, the territory played a significant role during the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD). Following Nero’s demise, Vitellius seized power with the backing of Rhine legions. During the Crisis of the Third Century, numerous short-lived emperors reigned, and power frequently shifted due to instability in the Rhine region.

2024-11-23 06:02