Gladiator - 20 year anniversary

On May 1st 2000 the film Gladiator debuted to much acclaim. Yes it was not historically correct - it was pure fantasy.. but it was a lot of fun!..

One of the highlights for me was the reconstruction of Rome itself - it was very well done.​

Apparently Gladiator 2 is in the works and will take place 25 years after the original... which may put in the years of the Severan dynasty.. but knowing Hollywood they will probably just resurrect Caesar?

A couple of relevant coins:



Marcus Aurelius .. sestertius


Commodus ..sestertius

 

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Although the entertainment is fun, I do not like how History is butchered in Movies, and Historical Novels. I get fleshing out stories, I just do not like it when whole characters are changed, people are placed incorrectly in time, etc. I don't like it when History is known, but an author CHANGES the known History to suit their story. Keep it real, feel free to flesh out the unknowns within Historical context, and make it FUN!

Nice Sestertii, @Clavdivs !


MARCUS AURELIUS

RI MARCUS AURELIUS AR Den as Caesar TR POT VI COS II - Genius stg at altar hldg standard
Ex: FSR


COMMODUS


RI Commodus 177-192 CE AR Denarius laureate hd and Hercules and Africa

 

I watched it again for the hundredth time 2 days ago on the AMC channel . It's one of my favorite movies . The 1st 15 minutes are the best part of the movie, when the Germans are getting annihilated !

 

GLADIATORS - Roman Republic


RR AR denarius 3.8g 18.0mm T Didius Rome 113-112 BCE Roma star ROMA mono - Two Gladiators whip sword S 171 CR 294-1



RR L Livineius Regulus AR Denarius 42 BCE 3.8g 19mm Regu bust - Gladiators in Arena Cr 494-30 Syd 1112 Sear 489

 

Well, I just posted this yesterday, but here is Lucilla followed by hubby Lucius Verus (R.I.P.)









Verus was not depicted in Gladiator, as he was already dead.

There is a Maximus quoted in the Meditations, but he was not Aelius Maximus...


Maximus was my model for self-control, fixity of purpose, and cheerfulness under ill-health or other misfortunes. His character was an admirable combination of dignity and charm, and all the duties of his station were performed quietly and without fuss. He gave everyone the conviction that he spoke as he believed, and acted as he judged right. Bewilderment or timidity were unknown to him; he was never hasty, never dilatory; nothing found him at a loss. He indulged neither in despondency nor forced gaiety, nor had anger or jealousy any power over him. Kindliness, sympathy, and sincerity all contributed to give the impression of a rectitude that was innate rather than inculcated. Nobody was ever made by him to feel inferior, yet none could have presumed to challenge his pre-eminence. He was also the possessor of an agreeable sense of humour.”

 

I had to look up this word...still learnin'

 

The best scene was the very first where the Romans are preparing an assault on the barbarians. After that it went downhill.

 

Agreed!

 

The beginning of the movie was fantastic...particularly the scenes of the Roman launch of arrows and artillery and then the advance of the infantry. Commodus should have had a beard, but oh well. I also liked the Proximo character a bit, being Oliver Reed's last role, particularly when he was haggling over the slaves and beasts, with a giraffe in the background. There was also a scene where a coin was exchanged, as Lucilla handed coins to Maximus' slave Cicero in the street. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer was also spellbinding.

 

A.C.H., Well said ! Russell Crowe made Maximus seem real, he'll never top that performance .

 

Here's an example of Jupiter protecting Commodus. The additional image is the "Passage of Commodus" from the Palatine Hill to the Colosseum.




Commodus (Augustus)
Coin: Brass Sestertius
M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG - Bust of Commodus, laureate, draped, right.
IVPPITER CONSERVATOR TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P S C - Jupiter, nude except mantle over arms, standing front, head left, holding sceptre in left hand and thunderbolt in right hand extended over small figure of Commodus, togate, holding branch in right hand and scpeter in left hand
Exergue: COSIIIPP


Mint: Rome (181 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 20.54g / 33mm / 12h
References:
RIC III 308Cd
Provenances:
Savoca Coins
Acquisition/Sale: Savoca Coins Internet 6th Blue Auction #952 $0.00 10/05
Notes: Oct 5, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection

 

I love those gladiator coins ! The T Didius denarius is especially well done .

 

The fighting arm was always protected or it would be the weak link in the battle, Unlike the movie.

 

Thank you.

 

I had the opportunity to visit the coliseum in Rome twice. Once when I was 9 (1956) and the next time, I was 18 (1966). My memory of the first visit, I was able to go to many areas of the coliseum, but were blocked off when I was 18. I loved walking down the Apian Way in Rome go down to the catacombs. I, too, loved the film, Gladiator. I have a theater 15' wide and 20' deep with a 4K UHD HDR projector and a 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X sound system. The opening of Gladiator of the Rome Empire against the Germanics was absolutely terrific. I felt like I was in the middle of it. I loved the dog following Russell Crowe into the battle. I hadn't heard about a "sequel". I would love it. I don't know if any of you knew of a remake of Ben Hur. I bought it, thinking it would be the same as the original except with better technology. Well, don't bother. No one could top Charlton Heston.

 

Don't know who will be featured. Crowe died in the final scene and went to Elysium. I suppose it could be in the reign of Severus, but who knows.

 

My mother was from the Indiana town where the author of Ben Hur lived so I was raised knowing that book and visiting his home/museum. I recall believing it was a great story but the first hundred pages were skipable. It took a while to get into the story.

This thread needs the Commodus as Hercules coins:
denarius

as

 

One of the most expensive Roman Republican coins around (not counting those of Julius Caesar, Brutus, etc.). Unfortunately!

 

Probably not.

 

Despite the historical inaccuracy, the movie was very good in my opinion. And it delivered one of the best movie soundtracks ever made (again, in my opinion). We're going to see Hans Zimmer live in february next year. Can't wait!