Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Gladiator II.Marcus Aurelius’“dream of Rome”is at the heart ofGladiator II,with Lucius striving to realize this dream. Its heartfelt message is part of what has madeGladiator IIreach its box office milestones. Like many elements of the sequel, this is a throwback to the first movie. Marcus Aurelius is an important figure in the morality of the firstGladiatormovie. The dream he describes is not quite historically accurate; however, like much of Scott’s relationship with ancient history, it is not without basis either.
Just as Maximus and Commodus’ characters are compared and contrasted inGladiator,Lucius is contrasted with thepale Emperors Geta and Caracalla inGladiator II.Both Maximus and Lucius earn the respect of their peers and are shown to inspire the people. In contrast, both Commodus and the fraternal Emperors’ reigns are portrayed with a strong sense of nepotism and lack of moral fiber – the antithesis of Aurelius’ ideas.
Marcus Aurelius Was Considered One Of Rome’s Good Emperors
Aurelius Ruled In A Golden Period Of Ancient Roman Civilization
Marcus Aurelius and his ideas are at the core of theGladiatorfranchise’s message of hope because he is historically considered one of the“five good Emperors”of Rome (perBrittanica). The documentation of this era of ancient Rome is partly biased toward this idea because it was also the period of the greatest expansion of the empire. In addition,following Aurelius’s death, the empire plunged into a period of civil war and instability.
Marcus Aurelius’ reign (161—180 CE) was considered the end of a period of relative tranquility and good government. 21st-century historians tend to temper the idealistic view of Aurelius by acknowledging the underlying factors that would ultimately contribute to the fall of the Roman Empire. However, for many years prior, his rule was viewed as the pinnacle of Roman civilization. The comparatively tranquil period of Augustus through to Aurelius’ reign is called“Pax Romana”.
History Supports The Idea That The “Dream Of Rome” Died With Marcus Aurelius
Commodus' Reign Was Fraught With Corruption
After co-ruling alongside Marcus Aurelius for the final years of his life, his son Commodus was appointed sole Emperor after his death. Commodus is often blamed for the end ofPax Romanabecause his reign was marked by corruption, erratic behavior, and instability. He also had a preoccupation with the gladiatorial games, as portrayed inGladiator.Commodus' reign also saw a significant economic decline, contributing to how he was documented in history. However, it can be argued that this painting of Commodus is partly a case of bad timing.
Population and economic issues were already present before Commodus’ rule, such as the Antonine Plague, which had only just ended when Aurelius died. This was a prolonged and destructive epidemic. It was a huge hit on the empire’s prowess, having decimated a quarter of the population, according toHistory Extra. Soldiers working in close proximity were particularly affected, having an impact on the empire’s military might. Commodus’ reign was undoubtedly unsuccessful, but there were factors like this in place that put him at a disadvantage, beginning the fall of the Roman Empire and the death of Aurelius’ legacy.
Did Marcus Aurelius Really Have A “Dream Of Rome”? How Gladiator 1 & 2 Change History
The Gladiator Movies Use The Stoic Ideas Of Aurelius' Philosophy
Gladiatoruses the partly fictionalized Marcus Aurelius alongside the fictional Maximus to portray the“dream of Rome”that centers on the people. In reality, there is no evidence to suggest Marcus Aurelius wanted to return Rome to the people and make it a republic again. However, the ideology persists in the sequelGladiator IIin which Lucius stays in Romeand restores the dream of a Roman Republic. By doing this, he reconciles his Roman identity and honors the memory of his father and grandfather.
Russell Crowe had a significant influence on the rewriting of the original Gladiator script, demanding the executives read Aurelius' Meditations.
Although this uses creative license,the philosophy around the franchise’s ideology is not without basis. The moral ideas are not too far from Aurelius’ writings. In his philosophical booksMeditations,he expresses a lot of sentiments that are emphasized in the movies. Indeed,Gladiator’s Russell Crowehad a significant influence on the rewriting of the originalGladiatorscript, demanding the executives read Aurelius’Meditations(perStandard). It is thanks to this and his tireless collaboration with Scott that the movie had such a strong moral fiber.
This is honored inGladiator IIwith ideas expressed by multiple characters echoing the writings of Aurelius. For example:
“The speed with which all of them vanish—the objects in the world, and the memory of them in time […] To understand those things—how stupid, contemptible, grimy, decaying, and dead they are—that’s what our intellectual powers are for.”
– via Marcus Aurelius,Meditations
This sentiment is mirrored in aGladiator IIquoteby General Acacius, who says,“Everything is forgotten in time. Empires fall. So do Emperors.”Aurelius furthers this sentiment elsewhere in his writings, pointing out the perpetual rise and fall:“Look at the past—empire succeeding empire—and from that, extrapolate the future: the same thing. No escape from the rhythm of events.”Although the concept of his“dream of Rome”inGladiator IIis historically inaccurate, Aurelius’ Stoic philosophy still provides profound ideals to be realized in the franchise.
