1998
General Maximus Decimus Meridius leads the Roman army to victory against Germanic tribes, earning the respect of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who wishes to name Maximus his successor. However, Marcus Aurelius's jealous son, Commodus, murders his father and orders Maximus's execution, but Maximus escapes and returns home to find his wife and son murdered. Captured and sold into slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator under the tutelage of Proximo, quickly rising through the ranks due to his exceptional combat skills. Maximus eventually fights in the Colosseum in Rome, where he gains immense popularity and reveals his identity to Commodus, who is now Emperor.
Save the Cat beat sheet
General Maximus is loyal to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and hopes to return home, but after Marcus’s death and Commodus’s betrayal, he’s sold into slavery and becomes a gladiator.
Open full beat sheetMaximus Decimus Meridius is listed as Protagonist. A Roman General turned gladiator seeking vengeance for his murdered family. In the parsed data, Maximus Decimus Meridius is connected to 28 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
28 scenes / 10 dialogue linesCommodus is listed as Antagonist. The ambitious and unstable son of Marcus Aurelius who seizes the throne. In the parsed data, Commodus is connected to 14 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 8 dialogue linesLucilla is listed as Princess of Rome. Sister of Commodus and former lover of Maximus. In the parsed data, Lucilla is connected to 13 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
13 scenes / 3 dialogue linesJuba is listed as Gladiator. An African gladiator and friend to Maximus. In the parsed data, Juba is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMarcus Aurelius is listed as Emperor of Rome. The aging, philosophical Emperor of Rome. In the parsed data, Marcus Aurelius is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesQuintus is listed as Roman Officer. A lieutenant under Maximus who betrays him. In the parsed data, Quintus is connected to 6 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 4.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLucius Verus is listed as Prince. Lucilla's young son. In the parsed data, Lucius Verus is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 26.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGracchus is listed as Senator. A moral and influential Roman Senator. In the parsed data, Gracchus is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 27.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesProximo is listed as Gladiator Trainer. A former gladiator turned owner of a gladiator school. In the parsed data, Proximo is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 35.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesVibius is listed as Gladiator. A formidable gladiator and star of Proximo's stable. In the parsed data, Vibius is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 28.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA German peasant family watches a Roman wagon train pass through the forest.
Commodus and Lucilla discuss their father's health and their arrival at the front.
Commodus, LucillaCommodus arrives at the outpost and leaves for the front, leaving Lucilla behind.
Commodus, LucillaMaximus prepares his troops for the final battle against the Germans.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, QuintusThe Roman army engages the Germans in a brutal battle.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Marcus AureliusMaximus and Marcus Aurelius discuss the war and the future after the battle.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Marcus AureliusCommodus arrives and meets Marcus and Maximus.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus, Marcus AureliusMaximus visits the wounded soldiers in the hospital tent.
Maximus Decimus MeridiusMarcus Aurelius holds court in the mess tent while Commodus attempts to recruit Maximus.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus, Marcus Aurelius, GracchusMarcus Aurelius and Lucilla share a moment.
Marcus Aurelius, LucillaMarcus Aurelius asks Maximus to lead Rome after his death.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Marcus AureliusLucilla confronts Maximus about his meeting with her father.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, LucillaMaximus prays to his ancestors.
Maximus Decimus MeridiusCommodus confronts his father and learns of his plan to name Maximus successor.
Commodus, Marcus AureliusMaximus discovers Marcus Aurelius is dead.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus, Marcus Aurelius, LucillaMaximus is arrested by Praetorian guards.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, QuintusMaximus escapes his executioners.
Maximus Decimus MeridiusCommodus addresses the army and lies about Maximus's departure.
Commodus, QuintusCommodus addresses the Felix Regiment, announcing Maximus's absence and appointing Quintus in his place.
Commodus, QuintusLucilla visits Maximus' tent and touches his armor.
LucillaMaximus arrives home to find his family murdered.
Maximus Decimus MeridiusMaximus is captured and chained with Juba.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, JubaProximo buys Maximus and Juba.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Proximo, JubaJuba tries to convince Maximus to live.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, JubaCommodus dismisses the Senate's concerns and announces games.
Commodus, Lucilla, GracchusLucilla and the Senators discuss the need to kill Commodus.
Lucilla, Gracchus, Lucius VerusLucilla and Gracchus discuss the political instability and the threat of Commodus while Lucilla's son Lucius visits.
Lucilla, Gracchus, Lucius VerusMaximus observes the corruption and decay of Rome from inside a slave wagon.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, VibiusThe gladiators arrive at Proximo's compound and perform a ritual.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Proximo, Juba, VibiusMaximus and Juba discuss their fate and the Colosseum.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, JubaMaximus defeats a giant but refuses to kill him, earning the crowd's adoration and triggering a confrontation with Commodus.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus, QuintusActors perform a satirical play mocking Commodus.
Maximus plans a coup with Juba and Vibius.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Juba, VibiusCommodus interrogates Lucilla's handmaiden about her whereabouts.
CommodusMaximus confronts Proximo about his past and the plan.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, ProximoMaximus and Lucilla meet to finalize their plans.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, LucillaCommodus intimidates Lucilla by telling a story about betrayal.
Commodus, Lucilla, Lucius VerusPraetorians attack and burn Proximo's compound.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Proximo, Juba, VibiusMaximus escapes through the sewer.
Maximus Decimus MeridiusCommodus shows Lucilla the head of Captain Marcellus.
Commodus, Lucilla, Lucius VerusMaximus returns to his army.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, QuintusThe final confrontation between Maximus and Commodus.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commodus, Lucilla, Proximo, Juba, GracchusMaximus and Lucius arrive at the ruined vineyard.
Maximus Decimus Meridius, Lucius VerusRome... you are better than this. Look inside yourselves. I challenge you to find your true voice. Help the Senate speak for you. Make them your champion... And dare to think what could be.
I will give the people what they truly want. Starting this day I will draw all of Rome to the Colosseum. I will give them bread. And they will want nothing more.
You might have spared yourself the speech, General. The lady Lucilla bought all my gladiators two hours ago!
In this letter I denote my intention to nominate you to stand for the Emperorship after my death.
Life is a gift from our fathers to us. Who are you to give it up for lack of lifting a spoon?
But this night, at least, Germania is at last defeated... What will you do now, my friend?
Brother... we've taken a sad path since we were children at Capri, have we not?
But if we aren't... think of the glory. Do you remember glory, Gladiator?
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