Gladiator and the myths of Rome: T.P. Wiseman looks at the development of the myth of ancient Rome, derived from the way its history has been seen. From: History Today | Date: April 1, 2005| Author: Wiseman, T.P. | COPYRIGHT 2005 History Today Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

RIDLEY SCOTT'S EPIC FILM Gladiator (2000) begins in AD 180, the last year of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. After the great battle in the German forest, the Roman commander Maximus and the emperor's son Commodus are talking to two senators called Gaius and Falco. (The purist winces. To introduce a man as 'Senator Gaius' is like calling Mr Blair 'Prime Minister Tony'.) Commodus warns Maximus that they will fill him full of ideas about a republic. 'Well, why not?' says Gaius, 'Rome wa...