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* For all his flaws as a father, Marcus Aurelius does still try to fix his relationship with Lucilla. It is very bittersweet, but they both realize their intentions were good toward each other in the end:
-->'''Marcus Aurelius''': Enough politics. For tonight, let us pretend that you are a loving daughter, and I am a good father.\\
'''Lucilla''': [kisses him and puts her arm around him] This is a pleasant fiction, isn't it?
* While speaking with Maximus on their last night in Germania, Marcus asks him about his farm back home. Russell Crowe's delivery makes it painfully clear how much he loves and misses his home and his family...which makes what happens next all the more tragic:
-->'''Maximus''': My house is in the hills above Trujillo. A...a very simple place. Pink stones that warm in the sun. A kitchen garden that smells of herbs in the day. Jasmine in the evening. Through the gate is a giant poplar. Figs. Apples. Pears. The ''soil'', Marcus. Black. Black like.. ''(starts to cry)'' like my wife's hair. Grapes on the south slopes, olives on the north. Wild ponies play near my house. They tease my son. He...he wants to be one of them.
* After Maximus saves his life in the arena, Hagen starts to treat him with camaraderie. He even takes a bite of Maximus' food for him to see if it has been poisoned. The amusing fakeout that Hagen gives Maximus and Juba signifies the start of the trio's friendship after that.
* Cicero, Maximus' servant, sees that his master is still alive. He returns Maximus' figures of his wife and son and tells him the army is ''still'' loyal to him.
-->'''Maximus''': When can they be ready?\\
'''Cicero''': For you? ''Tomorrow.''
* The night of Maximus' attempted escape the other gladiators and Proximo assist him despite knowing it could be the death of them. Special mention goes to the moment when Maximus tells the other gladiators that if they don't want to be involved in what's to happen then they can go back to their cells. [[UndyingLoyalty None of them leave.]]
* The ending, in which Maximus fulfills his vengeance as he dies, simultaneously restoring Rome to the republic that the true, dying Emperor had hoped for. He passes on to be reunited with his wife and son, and his fellow gladiators are freed. Of course, he's undoubtedly a legendary hero of Rome at this point, a paragon for all Romans to aspire to.
** "Now we are free. I will see you again... But not yet. Not yet..."