First is the metaphor of the gladiator as school leader. Gladiators are warriors. They take their place in the center of the coliseum where they are pitted against all sorts of dangers and challenges. When the fight is ended, the audience gives them the thumbs up or the thumbs down. Live or die.
Any superintendent can relate to that moment.
After we have given our all to the fray, the public then judges us, sometimes in a circus-like atmosphere. If we entertained them acceptably, we live. If not, the sword falls. Maximus, at that moment, was aware of his awesome power to destroy. Maximus would have made a great school leader.