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Accuracy Of Gladiator

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Gladiator is an epic historical action drama set in the Roman Empire during the reign of Commodus, the last emperor of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. The film is directed by Ridley Scott and features big name actors such as Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and the late Richard Harris. In brief the story of Gladiator centers Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russel Crowe), a betrayed Roman General who is forced into becoming a gladiator. Maximus fights his way from a lowly arena on the outskirts of the empire, to the Colosseum at Rome with the goal of killing the emperor Commodus, avenging the murder of his family. In terms of their social status, the film portrays gladiators as a mix of slaves, prisoners, and professional athletes. The gladiators are the property of a Roman citizen, most seemed to be there against their will, and yet they could achieve massive popular approval and support like a professional athlete of today. Maximus’s relationship with the crowd is an important plot point, showing the necessity of a gladiator in getting the approval of the masses to better ensure their survival. The film projects gladiators …show more content…

This is for many reasons, some sensible, and some not so much. If this film presented a completely accurate presentation of gladiators, the film might not have been able to connect with its audience, resulting in decreased profitability. Also, including historically inaccurate imagery, such as the imperial thumb signals in the Colosseum, helps the audience foster a better connection to the film. At the same time though, including blatant historical inaccuracies gives a false representation of the gladiators and Roman society, diluting the collective human conscious with falsehoods about the past. Although not historically accurate, Gladiator is well made and features many praiseworthy performances, making the film certainly worth a

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