Sullivan, Tony The Real Gladiator. The True Story of Maximus Decimus Meridius

"Are you not entertained?" shouts Russell Crowe, playing the part of General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Oscar winning 2000 film "Gladiator". The crowd, having witnessed Maximus defeating several gladiators, cheer in response. Film goers too were indeed entertained with the film grossing nearly half a billion dollars. This book covers the historical events that film was based on. From the Germanic wars on the northern frontier to the gladiatorial arena in Rome. From the philosopher emperor, Marcus Aurelius to the palace intrigues during the reign of his son. We will discover how Commodus really died and which of the characters actually fought in the arena. Readers will meet two generals, Pompeianus and Maximianus, who most resemble our hero General Maximus. Also Lucilla, the sister of Commodus, who in reality married her General, but detested him. The book also focuses on warfare, weapons and contemporary battles. It will compare the battle and fight scenes in the film with reality from contemporary sources and modern tests and reenactments. The reader will discover that fact is not only stranger than fiction, it is often more entertaining. The real history was certainly as much, if not more, treacherous, bloodthirsty, murderous and dramatic than anything the film industry has created.

From the Germanic wars on the northern frontier to the gladiatorial arena in Rome. From the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius to the palace intrigues under the rule of his son. We learn how Commodus really died and which of the characters actually fought in the arena. The reader gets to know two generals, Pompeianus and Maximianus, who are most similar to our hero General Maximus. Also Lucilla, the sister of Commodus, who in reality married her general but detested him. The book also deals with warfare, weapons and contemporary battles. It compares the battle and combat scenes in the film with the reality from contemporary sources and modern tests and re-enactments. The reader will find that the facts are not only stranger than the fiction, but often more entertaining. Real history was certainly as, if not more, treacherous, bloodthirsty, murderous and dramatic than anything created by the film industry.