Gladiator / Characters

Character page for Gladiator.

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Maximus

Maximus Decimus Meridius

A Roman general who Commodus betrayed for refusing to serve him. Commodus also had his family killed, and he ended up sold as a slave. Then Proximo bought him, had him train as a gladiator, and his exploits in the arenas of North Africa brought him to Rome.

A Father to His Men: Maximus inspires loyalty and cares for both his legionnaires and later, his gladiators.
All for Nothing: As in real life, the Republic was never restored after Commodus' death and the sequel is set during the reign of Caracalla. Maximus may have gotten his revenge, but ultimately his death amounted to little.
Animal Motifs:
- Horses are frequently associated with him throughout the film.
- Canines, early in the film he fights with a dog and has a wolf head carved into his armor.
Badass Boast: Has several. The most famous is "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north, general of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."
Beard of Sorrow: Grows one after losing his family.
Call to Agriculture: All Maximus wanted was to go home and harvest his crops before he was dragged into Roman politics.
Character Tics: Rubs his hands with dirt/sand before most of his fights.
Cincinnatus: Marcus Aurelius has him picked as his successor for this reason.
Marcus Aurelius: Will you accept this great honor that I have offered you?
Maximus: With all my heart, no.
Marcus Aurelius: Oh, Maximus. That is why it must be you.
Combat Pragmatist: He is a soldier, so his combat training is centered around killing his enemies quickly and efficiently. But this isn't as entertaining, so Proximo convinces him to start putting on a better show.
Crusading Widower: His wife and kid were both killed by Commodus' men.
Dark Is Not Evil: He is constantly clad in black armor/fighting gears throughout the film. Since he's essentially being cast as a "heel" in most of his battles, the people in charge of the tournaments are obviously trying to invoke an in-universe Dark Is Evil.
Dashing Hispanic: Since he hails from the Roman province of Hispania and is referred to as "The Spaniard" at the start of his gladiatorial career. Even though he doesn't look the part, he is certainly motivated by revenge in true Inigo Montoya's fashion.
Determinator: When it comes to getting his revenge, Maximus will not back down.
Died Standing Up: He delivers the last wishes of Marcus Aurelius, staying on his feet until he collapses.
Doomed Moral Victor: Despite being a noble general who was Marcus Aurelius' preferred heir to the throne, Commodus ends up killing his father to ascend to the throne instead, leaving Maximus to die. While Maximus ultimately succeeds at stopping his tyranny, he dies from a wound previously inflicted by Commodus right after he returns Rome back to the people.
A Father to His Men: He is greatly admired by his troops, and becomes one with his fellow gladiators, several of whom had previously served with him in the army.
Four-Star Badass: As a General, he is still quite capable in single combat, besting even the greatest gladiators of his time, as well as Commodus despite the latter rigging the match by stabbing him before the fight. In larger fights, he's even able to rally several former soldiers in the ring with him into an ad-hoc army to beat the odds stacked against them.
Foreign Wrestling Heel: The ancient version of it. In his first battle, where he's set up to lose, he's given the title "Spaniard" just so the Romans in the audience will hate him.
Game-Breaking Injury: Double Subversion. Commodus stabs him before their fight so he can be at an advantage, but Maximus is so badass that he beats him anyway. Though he still dies from the injury.
Genius Bruiser: He is an intelligent and badass fighter.
Heartbroken Badass: After his family's death.
The Hero: He is the main character of the story.
The Hero Dies: He succumbed to to the wounds caused by Commodus' cheap stab at the back. But not without killing him first.
Mr. Fanservice: Russell Crowe was quite handsome back then. He also has a lot of Shirtless Scene.
Older Hero vs. Younger Villain: The younger villain is Commodus.
Outliving One's Offspring: In virtue of being a Crusading Widower.
Protagonist Title: He is the titular Gladiator.
Red Baron: "The Spaniard", his nickname which he is referred to at the start of his gladiator career.
Refusal of the Call: He turns down Marcus Aurelius' plea that he be the one who makes Rome a Republic again.
Soldier vs. Warrior: He starts the movie as a Roman general, before being forced out of the Roman army and eventually gets sold into slavery as a gladiator. At first, Maximus' efficient fighting style is unsatisfying to audiences until he's told to fight with more style. However, he still uses his military knowledge, turning a historical reenactment that should've ended as a defeat for his side into a win.
Testosterone Poisoning: They say the Spaniard is Hercules reborn and can crush skulls with his bare hands.
Together in Death: With his wife and son at the end.
Tranquil Fury: When facing Commodus.
We Used to Be Friends: He and Commodus were basically blood-brothers. Emphasis on were.
You Are in Command Now: During the last minute of his life, he conveys Marcus Aurelius' wish to restore Rome as a Republic, and orders Quintus to free Gracchus along with his fellow gladiators.

Commodus

Lucius Aurelius Commodus

Played by: Joaquin Phoenix

Dubbed by:^note

The insane son of Marcus Aurelius and the new emperor of the Roman Empire after he killed his father. He has Maximus' family killed for refusing to serve him, causing Maximus' quest for vengeance.

0% Approval Rating: During his fight with Maximus, the crowd is audibly cheering for Maximus and booing any time Commodus gets the upper hand. Not only that, but when Maximus disarms him, Quintus not only refuses to give him a sword, but orders the guards to sheathe their swords, who follow his order rather than the Emperor's.
Adaptational Dye-Job: The historical Commodus was blond, here he is portrayed with black hair like the previous screen portrayal in The Fall of the Roman Empire.
Agent Peacock: Always dresses to impress and has a fighting style based more on grace and agility than brute strength.
Ambition Is Evil: His sheer ambition is enough to lead him to do very terrible things.
And Your Little Dog, Too!: He has Maximus' wife and son murdered in retaliation to him being chosen as his father's successor, and threatens Lucius when he realizes Lucilla betrayed him.
Arch-Enemy: To Maximus after he had his family murdered.
Ax-Crazy: He's a crazed maniac who is very quick to make violent threats and perverse sexual remarks, not to mention he finds enjoyment in seeing gladiators fight and brutalize themselves. He tries to hide this with a polite expression, but that does little to mask his petulant madness.
Big Bad: He is the main antagonist of the story.
Berserk Button: Loses his temper when Lucius says he wants to be a gladiator-like Maximus and calls him "the savior of Rome."
Brother–Sister Incest: One sided in his part.
The Caligula: Commodus' mood-swings and murderous behavior make him appear to be very unstable. To say nothing of his crush on his sister.
Chekhov's Skill: Towards the beginning, Maximus watches him train in sword-fighting.
Dark Is Evil: Much of his wardrobe is black, except in his showdown with Maximus, when he wears white armor.
Determinator: Surprisingly. He has his mind utterly set on killing Maximus & establishing a legacy and nothing will get in his way.
Dirty Coward: He stabs Maximus prior to their showdown so that he can be at an advantage. He still loses.
Dude, Where's My Respect?: This is the main factor why he keeps getting more evil as the movie goes on.
The Emperor: Obviously.
Evil Former Friend: Downplayed. He greets Maximus as an old friend, reminisces about their past a little, and jovially acts as the general's guide to Rome's power players; his overtures are one-sided and Maximus, while never rude, is deferential and a little distant. By the time Commodus' Face–Heel Turn is complete, their friendship is forgotten, if it ever really existed at all.
Evil Uncle: He acts like a straight Cool Uncle to Lucius at first. But when the kid reveals he worships Maximus instead, he threatened his sister that he'll harm Lucius.
Evil Virtues: He admits to his father that he lacks conventional virtues, but has some of his own such as:
- Ambition, which in his words "drives him to excel" — by usurping his father.
- Resourcefulness, by quickly getting rid of his political rivals with efficiency.
- Courage, though not conventionally. Under the right circumstances, he displays bravery but is otherwise a Dirty Coward.
- Devotion to his family, which is depicted as an unhealthy obsession to his sister whom he forces to be his concubine.
Fatal Flaw: Envy. He deeply resents his loved ones' affection for Maximus and spends the entire movie seething over the general-turned-slave's ability to win the approval and respect that Commodus craves, from both his family and the people of Rome.
Faux Affably Evil: While he can be nice and polite at times, he quickly reveals himself to be a bloodthirsty monster.
Historical Badass Upgrade: The historical Commodus was a skilled archer (he liked to decapitate ostriches with arrows) but no swordsman, and only fought in battles against disabled veterans throwing the fight. This one actually seems decent with a sword, even if he does cheat.
Historical Villain Upgrade: The real Commodus was no saint, but his onscreen counterpart is utterly detestable. The real Commodus was more of a spoiled rich kid, who was a capable warrior but preferred fighting in the Colosseum to leading his armies in defending the empire. He was named directly as Marcus Aurelius' successor and tried to live up to his father's name at first, but the two men had wildly different philosophies (Marcus being The Stoic, and Commodus The Hedonist) and as a result their reigns were quite dissimilar. Cassius Dio, a historian who lived through Commodus' reign, describes him thus:
Cassius Dio: "[Commodus was] not naturally wicked but, on the contrary, as guileless as any man that ever lived. His great simplicity, however, made him the slave of his companions, and it was through them that he at first, out of ignorance, missed the better life and then was led on into lustful and cruel habits, which soon became second nature."
Hoist by His Own Petard: During his final duel with Maximus, he hides a knife in his armor which his uses before the duel to backstab him to gain the advantage and later brandishes when he is disarmed and Quintus and his praetorians refuse to offer theirs. Maximus turns this knife on him to kill him.
Incest-ant Admirer: Lusts for his sister and forces her to be his Sex Slave when he loses it. She doesn't feel the same way.
I Just Want to Be Loved: He craved the paternal love and approval that his father only gave to Maximus, and the sex and intimacy that his sister only gave to Maximus.
Commodus: "I would butcher the whole world if only you would love me!"
Karmic Death: Commodus victimized Maximus by killing his family out of spite and hosts gladiator fights just to amuse himself while others in Rome are squandered by political strife and war. In the end, he decides to fight Maximus in a gladiator fight to prove himself superior. Not only does Maximus avenge his family, but Commodus is fairly easily beaten with hardly anyone rooting for him and dies in disgrace, with everybody placing their attention towards Maximus's final moments over Commodus's corpse.
Light Is Not Good: He is constantly clad in white outfits throughout the film. Obviously, this also counts as White Shirt of Death. Since Commodus is attempting to seem like a pure, beloved hero to all of Rome, dressing in white is his attempt to invoke Light Is Good.
Narcissist: As expected by a Roman emperor of this period, Commodus is extremely self-centered, he wants to rule over the senate with an iron fist and cannot tolerate to be questioned, thinking he can make absolutely no mistakes. Just like an average narcissist, he puts his needs above the ones of literally anyone else in his empire, to the point he would send people to their death just to stroke his gigantic ego.
Not-So-Harmless Villain: While he's a cowardly sociopath, he does put down the gladiator rebellion, arrests all of his political critics and kills Maximus.
Older Hero vs. Younger Villain: The older hero is Maximus.
Psychopathic Manchild: His violent urges and twisted desires complement the fact that he's a petulant and immature brat who throws a fit over how his father favors Maximus over him. He's also prone to sudden and angry outbursts whenever things don't go his way.
Rank Scales with Asskicking: He's the Emperor of Rome and although not as good as Maximus, he's pretty nifty with a sword.
Self-Made Orphan: He kills Marcus Aurelius after being informed he won't succeed him.
Slave to PR: Despite having Maximus surrounded by Roman soldiers, and wanting very much to see him dead, Commodus is forced to yield to the demand of the crowd and let him leave the arena alive.
The Sociopath: Like a handful of emperors and other Roman noblemen of his time, Commodus is an extremely corrupt and amoral despot: he doesn't care about the lives of his soldiers or even his family, he just wants to have as much power and approval as possible, showing his extreme selfishness. While at that, he isn't above committing literal crimes to increase his likelyhood of success as an emperor, like when he killed his very father, something that is considered irredeemable, specially in Rome. He is also not above abusing his nephew Lucius, who was his morality pet until he expressed admiration towards Maximus.
Somebody Doesn't Love Raymond: He's very sensitive about being admired and adored by others.
The Usurper: He smothers his father to death so he can become the new Emperor of Rome.
Undignified Death: He dies pathetically, getting outmatched by Maximus and being refused help when the going got tough. When Maximus dies, the crowd is clearly mourning for him and is quick to pay their respects and take his body to be buried. Commodus's corpse just lies there on the stadium's ground with nobody bothering to pay attention to him.
Villain with Good Publicity: Zig-Zagged. At first, Commodus is loathed by everyone in Rome, but he gains their favor through the gladiator games, but once Maximus arrives, he loses them again.
Villainous Breakdown: Has one during his final battle with Maximus. Even though he's rigged the fight in his favor Maximus is still beating him. After the Praetorians turn on him and leave him to fend for himself, he reveals his dagger and goes after Maximus even though his plan was to humiliate Maximus in a fair fight. He's so desperate he resorts to blatant cheating.
- The reason he arranged the fight itself in the first place is the result of a more protracted example, since simply killing Maximus (and henceforth turning him into a martyr) would overshadow Commudus' reputation in the public eye and dent his already brittle and unstable ego - so the plan he devises in order to try and prevent this is to "kill the gladiator's name" before Maximus could be executed. However, multiple failed attempts to thwart Maximus' street credibility along with his own faltering efforts at competing with self-promotional propaganda provokes him to take bolder and more reckless actions (along with increasingly volatile meltdowns whenever these fail to make any difference) to change the tide of opinion, finally culminating in him challenging the far more experienced Maximus to a personal duel to the death (although he does have the foresight to try and discreetly rig the odds of the fight in his favour beforehand.)
Commodus: "AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!"
Villain Has a Point: He makes fair points early on that the people of Rome don't care about the Senate or the war with barbarians, they only want to see "the greatness of Rome." Unfortunately, he uses that to propel the gladiator games and distract them from his tyranny.
"Well Done, Son" Guy: All he wanted was his father's love and respect. When he didn't get those, things went From Bad to Worse.
We Used to Be Friends: He and Maximus were basically blood-brothers. Emphasis on were.
Would Hurt a Child: He threatens to kill his nephew Lucius if Lucilla doesn't become Commodus' Sex Slave.
Would You Like to Hear How They Died?: Delivers a nasty one to Maximus when he narrates his wife and son's murder in vivid details.

Lucilla

Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla

Played by: Connie Nielsen

Dubbed by:^note

Marcus Aurelius' daughter and Commodus' sister whom he lusts after. She is also young Lucius' mother and a former love interest to Maximus.

Brother–Sister Incest: One sided in Commodus' part. He ultimately forced her to be his Sex Slave. Fortunately, Maximus killed him soon after.
Daddy's Girl: Her father thinks highly of her, even bemoaning that, as a woman, he could not make her his successor since she seems way fitter for the job than Commodus. That is sort of one sided, too, as Lucilla reservedly notes that pretending Marcus Aurelius were a good father is "a pleasant fiction".
Historical Hero Upgrade: The real Lucilla was much less noble than her onscreen counterpart, trying to usurp Commodus himself before being executed.
Old Flame: To Maximus.
Sex Slave: After her plot with Maximus is discovered by Commodus, he threatens to kill Lucius unless she bears him a pure-blooded heir, even if she refuses through suicide. Thankfully, Commodus is killed by Maximus before she has to sleep with him.
Spared by the Adaptation: As noted above she predeceased Commodus (by several years in fact).
Unresolved Sexual Tension: She had feelings for Maximus years ago, feelings that had not vanished completely. When they meet again, tension is built around them though it ended up in nothing. The original script had a sexual scene between them but it was written out because it didn't fit well in Maximus' vengeance.

Marcus Aurelius

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/51ekbo4ct4l_ac.jpg

Played by: Richard Harris

Dubbed by:^note

The former Emperor of Rome. He was Commodus and Lucilla's father, and a parental figure to Maximus. He wanted to restore Rome to a simple Republic instead of a growing Empire, which would cost him his life at the hands of his own son.

A God I Am Not: When Commodus offers to sacrifice 100 bulls to celebrate his victory in the war, he tells him to "save the bulls" and that Maximus is the one to be honored.
Didn't Think This Through: Yes, tell your son, who's dreamed of succeeding you all his life, that he won't do it after all, without any witnesses or record of your decision. He did tell Maximus and Lucilla, but it would have been his son's word against theirs; and once Commodus succeeds his father, he has power of life and death over both of the former.
Do Not Call Me Sir: He asks that Maximus not address him as Caesar and converse with him "as men."
Fatal Flaw: He thought too highly of Commodus, even when he himself admitted he was too corrupt to succeed him. He falsely assumed "Commodus will accept my decision" when both Lucilla and Maximus know very well that he would not. He was wrong.
The Good King: An aging Emperor that years of battle taught him that a big Empire was nothing worth for and sought to bring back the nation to the people.
Historical Hero Upgrade: The real Marcus Aurelius had no compunctions about Commodus succeeding him as Emperor, having named his son as Caesar ^note as early as 166 CE, 14 years before his death, and made him co-emperor in 177 CE, three years before his death. This also means he wasn't planning to restore the Republic either.
Killer Bear Hug: He is killed by Commodus embracing him hard enough that the old man can't breathe.
Parental Neglect: Commodus mentions that he never once heard his father compliment him or even give him a full hug.
The Philosopher King: One of the main historical proponents of Stoicism. Maximus says a few of his own real-life quotes and his writings are still used today.
"Well Done, Dad!" Guy: He tells Commodus "Your faults as a son is my failure as a father."
When You Coming Home, Dad?: While his relationship with his daughter seems less tense, Lucilla isn't exactly warm toward him, implying that he didn't spend much time around his children as he was off campaigning.
Why Are You Not My Son?: Calls Maximus "the son he should have had", and tries to have Maximus assume power instead of his own son. Commodus doesn't take this well.

Proximo

Antonius Proximo

Played by: Oliver Reed

Dubbed by:^note

A former gladiator too that was freed by Marcus Aurelius who turned lanista (gladiator trainer and owner) in North Africa. He bought Maximus and made him fight as a gladiator.

Catchphrase: "Shadows and dust." Also his "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner towards the end.
Death by a Thousand Cuts: Roman soldiers repeatedly stabbed him In the Back.
Even Evil Has Standards: He is a slaver in a spectacularly bloody business. And he has no compunctions about, for example, having dead gladiators fed to his pet hyenas. But it turns out even he can be motivated by the murder of the man who set him free.
Face Death with Dignity: He uses this manipulatively to motivate his fighters, even if he seems to actually believe it. In the end he calmly made a "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner before his death.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Lampshaded by Maximus.
Maximus: Are you in danger of becoming a good man, Proximo?
Proximo: Hah!
Only in It for the Money: "I did not pay good money for your company. I paid it so that I might profit from your death."
Retired Badass: He used to be a gladiator.
Sacrificial Lion: He's killed during Commodus' repression of the would-be rebellion after undergoing some character growth and developing a good relationship with the title character.

Juba

Played by: Djimon Hounsou

A Numidian slave and gladiator. He becomes Maximus' closest friend.

Beneficial Disease: Helps Maximus through his recovery by administering maggot therapy, cleaning the infected and necrotizing wound that would have killed him.
Determined Defeatist: He expects to die very soon, which is natural as a slave gladiator. But he is determined to keep fighting until then.
Do Not Go Gentle: He discusses this with Maximus, regarding his dead family. "You will see them again. But not yet."
Fire-Forged Friends: With Maximus and Hagen but mostly with Maximus as they share a background of being a father and husband and being sold as slaves.
Lonely Together: "I had a wife, and a daughter. Will I ever see them again? I think not."
Together in Death: Discussed with Maximus. He plans to wait for his family in the afterlife, since he expects to die soon. And he reassures Maximus that his family will surely be waiting for him as well. Unlike Maximus, his family is still alive, but he has no hope that he'll ever see them again in this life. Subverted by the end where he survives and is freed, and it's implied that he did go home to reunite with his family. He buries Maximus' idols and tells him that he'll see him again one day....but not yet.
The Watson: His connection to Maximus is driven through a series of intimate moments in which he asks the mostly-quiet hero questions about his past, which serve to help the audience better understand Maximus.
Talking Down the Suicidal: "Why do you not fight? We all have to fight." As they are chained together. This seems to snap Maximus out of it.
You Are Not Alone: Juba is by Maximus' side through his entire recovery, and each moment of Maximus' existential despair shifts to a moment of intimacy with Juba.

Gracchus

Played by: Derek Jacobi

An honest Roman senator, unlike the rest of his comrades.

Boring, but Practical: When Commodus returns to Rome, Gracchus gives him a set of protocols, starting with establishing basic sanitation in the Greek Quarter to combat the plague. Commodus is bored and decides to set up the Games instead, but as the movie goes on it becomes clear that Commodus neglecting these dry, boring duties in favor of the spectacle of the Games is setting Rome on a path to disaster.
Deadpan Snarker: When Commodus talks of embracing his people, Gracchus wryly asks him if he'd embrace them while they die of plague.
Only Sane Man: Of all the Roman senators portrayed in the film, he is the only one that is not corrupted by ambition and power.
Non-Action Guy: Justified since he is an elder and unfit to fight.

Quintus

Played by: Tomas Arana

A Roman legatus that was Maximus' second-in-command during the Germanic Wars.

Badass Cape: Wears this as part of his typical garb.
Bodyguard Betrayal: Of the Betrayal by Inaction variation, as his refusal to assist Commodus during his final battle seals the mad emperor's fate.
The Dragon: He is Commodus' action man after his coronation.
Karma Houdini: He may be Just Following Orders, but he still carries out Commodus' command to have Maximus and his family executed, and faces no comeuppance for it. He remains a sympathetic character, as he was put in a bad situation, and if he refused he would likely be killed himself.
Know When to Fold 'Em: An example in foreshadowing. Quintus tells Maximus that people should know when they're conquered, while Maximus asks rhetorically whether they themselves would. In the face of Commodus's coup, Quintus accepts the situation while Maximus refuses.
The Lancer: To Maximus at the beginning.
My Master, Right or Wrong: He aids Commodus because he is loyal to the position of the Emperor, regardless of who holds it.
Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal: A scene cut from the theatrical version shows Commodus forcing him to execute two of his own innocent soldiers, which goes a long way toward explaining his decision to turn on the Emperor in the end.
Number Two: He used to be Maximus' second-in-command when he was a general.
Politically Incorrect Villain: Downplayed. He is contemptuous of the Germanic tribesmen fought in the opening, sneering that they should have learned by now continuing to fight Rome is pointless.
Quintus: People should know when they're conquered.
Punch-Clock Villain: Just because he works for Commodus doesn't mean he's happy about it. He definitely won't go out of his way to assist him during a duel.
Praetorian Guard: He leads it.
The Fettered: He values honor above loyalty. When Commodus is disarmed in the final battle against Marcus, he cries out to Quintus for a sword. Quintus refuses. When Commodus calls out to the men nearby to throw him a sword, they almost do, until Quintus orders them to sheathe their swords, forcing the emperor to continue the honorable battle unaided.

Hagen

Played by: Ralf Moeller

A Germanic slave and gladiator. He bonds well with both Maximus and Juba.

The Big Guy: He towers both Maximus and Juba, and he has the most muscle mass out of all of Proximo's gladiators.
Died Standing Up: He dies on his feet, with a dozen arrows and mobbed by soldiers.
Fire-Forged Friends: With Maximus and Juba. Even when Maximus told him that he fought the Germanic tribes, Hagen does not judge him from his past actions and remained close allies.
Love Across Battlelines: The platonic version - he and Maximus were on opposite sides of the Roman conquest of Germania.
Sacrificial Lion: He dies during Maximus' escape attempt.

Lucius

Lucius Verus

Played by: Spencer Treat Clark (first film), Paul Mescal (sequel)

Lucilla's young son and Commodus' nephew. He greatly admires Maximus when he arrives at the Coliseum.

Children Are Innocent: An energetic kid that has Maximus as his idol and imitates his fighting style. He also wants to be a great Emperor.
I Have Your Wife: After finding out Lucilla was part of the plot against him, Commodus essentially tells his sister her son will die if she does literally anything to displease him.
Morality Pet: He seems to be the only character Commodus shows genuine affection towards.

Cassius

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dsswjyywoaeiz8q.jpg

Played by: David Hemmings

The main announcer of the Coliseum.

Large-Ham Announcer: As the Coliseum's announcer and the silly looking red haired wig, he has to be grandiose when introducing spectacular battle recreations.
Smug Snake: To Proximo when arguing over his being assigned a historical reenactment that will get all Proximo's valuable gladiators killed.

Cicero

Played by: Tommy Flanagan

Maximus' main servant.

Good Scars, Evil Scars: He gets some scars between Maximus' expulsion and the games, due to Flanagan's real-life Glasgow Grin.
Non-Action Guy: During the Germanic wars, all he did was serving Maximus in his tent. He mostly serves Maximus as a harbinger or butler.
Sacrificial Lion: He gets executed during Maximus' escape attempt.
Undying Loyalty: To Maximus. He even dies giving Maximus a warning about a trap in which he is the bait, despite knowing he'll be killed for it.

Falco

Played by: David Schofield

A Roman senator that collaborates with Commodus.

Corrupt Politician: He aids a tyrant and madman to consolidate his power in detriment of the Roman Senate.
Karma Houdini: He disappears late in the story and we don't see him receive any punishment for his scheming and corruption.
The Evil Genius: He's the one who advises Commodus on how to deal with his enemies, using the example of a sea snake that lets its enemies nibble from it to lure them into confidence before striking.

Tigris of Gaul

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/51ekbo4ct4l_ac_0.jpg

Played by: Sven-Ole Thorsen

A fearsome and undefeated gladiator from Gaul.

Ambiguous Situation: It is uncertain if his name actually is "Tigris" or a name he was given as a gladiator.
Animal Motif: Tigers, obviously.
Agony of the Feet: How he's finally brought down, impaled in the foot by his own axe.
Armor Is Useless: Averted—His helmet provides some protection from glancing sword blows.
The Beastmaster: Downplayed. He himself doesn't train or handle them, but his fight with Maximus does use tigers as a set piece and they are directed to only attack Maximus.
Blood from the Mouth: When critically injured in the fight, likely from when Maximum had just shield bashed him in the face.
Combat Pragmatist: Starts the duel by kicking sand at Maximus and has no problem siccing tigers on him.
Cool Helmet: He has a tiger-shaped metal helmet, the visor of which doubles as a Cool Mask.
Dual Wielding: Wields both an axe and a sword at the same time.
Meaningful Name: A man with a tiger motif, whose name is the Latin word for "Tiger".
Not Afraid to Die: When Maximus has him at his mercy, Tigris doesn't appear to be afraid in the slightest.
Punch-Clock Villain: So far as he's concerned, he's simply fighting another match when facing Maximus.
Red Baron: If his name was given to him as a gladiator rather than being his birthname, he is basically being called "the Tiger of Gaul."
Retired Badass: He'd been retired for 5 years before being summoned to battle Maximus.
Save the Villain: Despite Commodus' insistence, Maximus spares his life.
You Have Failed Me: When he fails to kill Maximus, Commodus calls for Maximus to Finish Him!

Germanic Chieftain

The Germanic Chieftain

Played by: Peter Francis-Wemyss

The leader of the Germanic army the troops of Marcus Aurelius fight against in the battle at the beginning of the film.

Beard of Barbarism: He's got bot a beard and long hair.
Bilingual Bonus: If you can understand what he shouts at Maximus and his army.[[note]]Which might get difficult even for a native German speaker since his pronunciation is way off.
"Ihr seid verfluchte hunde!" (You are cursed dogs!)
Death of a Thousand Cuts: He meets his demise when several legionaries overwhelm him and stab him with their gladiuses.
Decapitation Presentation: He had the Roman emissary beheaded and shows his head to the Romans as an intimidation maneuver, then throws it in the mud.
Large and in Charge: He's quite a large and imposing figure compared to his men.
Pelts of the Barbarian: He's covered in fur.

Characters / Gladiator

Maximus Decimus Meridius

Played by: Russell Crowe

Dubbed by:^note