Maximus Decimus Meridius

Maximus Decimus Meridius is the main protagonist of the 2000 epic historical drama film and the overarching protagonist of its upcoming 2024 sequel .
He was portrayed by , who also played Jor-El in Man of Steel and Bud White in L.A. Confidential.
==Personality==
Maximus is a natural leader, whose charisma and capabilities inspire absolute loyalty in his men, whether they be his troops in the legion or fellow gladiators. A part of his appeal was the respect he showed, considering them equals, rather than subordinates, as well as him being willing to face the same risks that they did. Despite his talent for command, he is at heart a humble man, uninterested in ambitions beyond the freedom to spend time on his farmlands with his wife and son. Even so, he felt an obligation to the Roman Empire and Emperor Marcus Aurelius, thereby led campaigns to both expand and protect the Empire's borders for years. Despite finding disdain for battle and his aptitude for war, Maximus would continue to fulfill his duties out of honour and desire for the reward of returning home afterwards.
When Emperor Marcus Aurelius requested that Maximus be the heir instead of Commodus, and he would be in charge to transition the Roman Empire into a Republic instead, Maximus initially refused, due to finding the burden of Emperor unwanted and the politics of central Rome too far from his native Spain to be important enough for him to sacrifice more time away from his loved ones and home; however, when Marcus revealed that his own time is limited, Maximus agreed due to his loyalty to his father figure and sense of duty to Rome.
After Marcus died of "natural causes," Commodus attempted to sway Maximus to be his general as he was his father's, however, Maximus refused due to the late emperor's fear of the malice in his son, as well as his own perception of the man's darkness. Although, he allowed grief to taint his judgement, since he ended up antagonising Commodus, and threatened his "birthright" as he openly proclaimed he would obey Marcus's wish to change Rome into a republic. Thus leading to Commodus to rescind his titles, sentence him to death, and have his family and staff in Spain slaughtered out of spite.
Despite the loss of his family, near death experience, and then finding himself as a slave to fight in gladiatorial matches, Maximus kept the will to live because of a desire to avenge his family. Upon learning there was a path to Rome, he committed to apply his skills at combat to excel as a gladiator, as to be allowed travel to the great Colosseum in Rome whereupon he would have the opportunity to kill now Emperor Commodus; even so, he had frustration about the route, since he already disliked war when it was to serve a purpose - noble or otherwise - yet now he was forced to kill for something as trivial as entertainment.
While Maximus had a burning hatred of Commodus, he retained enough of his valor to stay his hand when taking revenge would have also resulted in the death of the child Lucius. Despite his rage, Maximus didn't succumb to Commodus's sadistic taunts about how his wife and son died, as even with all he lost and his anger, Maximus retained the discipline of a soldier, thereby avoiding retaliating in what he knew would be an unsuccessful time.
Maximus remained loyal to his deceased wife, hoping to be reunited with her upon his own death for entrance to Elysium, however, he was tempted by Lucilla, who was an old flame that he still felt attraction for and she tried to engage in a romance with him, but he ultimately rejected her advances; even so, he still respected, admired, and in a way loved her, thus his revenge had the additional goal of freeing her and her son Lucius from her brother's madness. Likewise, he was previously indifferent to Marcus Aurelius's wishes for a republic, but seeing how much damage Commodus had caused in so little time, Maximus changed to agree to help ensure his late emperor's ideal would be met.
Prior his final fight, Maximus remained defiant and unafraid of Commodus, even taunting him with the fact that he had spent his entire life afraid himself. As Commodus dealt him what would be an eventually fatal wound before their duel, Maximus had accepted his inevitable death, however, had the strength to remained focused in the fight; while his consciousness lapsed to the afterlife, he regained enough awareness, along with his superior fighting skills that allowed him to twist Commodus's own cowardly hidden dagger against him. Upon the death of the tyrant emperor, Maximus kept true to his honour, as he requested the freedom of his men and fellow gladiators, as well as declaring Marcus's final wish for a Roman Republic, therefore showing that even upon death, he maintained a disciplined mindset, bravery, nobility, valor, and dedication to his allies.
==Biography==
===Gladiator===
Maximus was a Hispano-Roman Legatus from Spain who served as General of the Felix Legions and Commander of the Roman Army on behalf of their emperor, Marcus Aurelius, for many years. Over the years, Maximus formed a close relationship with Aurelius as the latter respected the former so much to the point of seeing him as a son.
In 180 AD, Maximus leads the Roman army to victory against the Germanic tribes near Vindobona on the Limes Germanicus. However, their success becomes sidetracked for Maximus as he feels scared due to the loss of men that were close to him. Thereafter, Maximus wishes to return home to his wife and their son. When he later tells Aurelius of this, the latter wishes to ask Maximus for "one last thing" - to become his successor in being Emperor. Maximus is shocked by the offer, but initially refuses "with all his heart". Aurelius then explains that his own son, Commodus, is unfit to rule because he is corrupt and "not a moral man" - further asserting that Maximus had known this for a while ago. Eventually, after Aurelius proclaims that Maximus is the only person who he knows is not under corruption of the republic, Maximus belatedly accepts the offer.
Later on, however, Commodus meets up with his father and learns about his plan to have Maximus become his successor instead of him - Commodus responds by killing his father in a fit of rage. Soon afterwards, Commodus proclaims himself the new emperor once Maximus finds out that Aurelius is dead; Commodus then asks Maximus for loyalty, but Maximus refuses as he becomes suspicious over the circumstances behind his emperor's untimely demise. In response, Commdous has Maximus arrested - falsely implicating him for Aurelius' murder - before ordering for him and his family to be murdered. Maximus escapes his own execution, but arrives too late to save his family upon arriving at their home.
After burying his family, Maximus collapses from exhaustion and gets captured by slavers. He is then sold off to be a gladiator in North Africa and is now owned by a former gladiator called Antonius Proximo, who later reveals to Maximus that he was granted freedom by Marcus Aurelius a long time ago. While participating in gladiatorial combat in a North African city, Maximus uses his military experience to easily win fights - even single-handedly killing everyone else in one battle - and earns the respect of his fellow gladiators; Maximus ends up becoming close friends with a German gladiator named Hagen and a Numidian gladiator named Juba. 
Soon enough, Maximus' combat ability means that Proximo would send him and his compatriots to Rome for the grandiose games prepared by Commodus. It is at this point that Commodus has fully consolidated his power with some help from Quintus, commander of the Praetorian Guard who had apparently betrayed Maximus in the midst of Commodus' rise to power. Before arriving in Rome for the tournament, Maximus is told by Proximo that he must win the crowd in order to obtain his freedom. When they arrive and prepare for the tournament, Maximus is designated the legendary figure "Hannibal" and his fellow gladiators are designated the "Carthaginians" to be slaughtered by "Romans" in chariots in an imitation of the Battle of Zama. However, Maximus, being an experienced general, rallies his allies in the arena and form a circular shield formation impenetrable to chariot attacks, then had them flip over one of the approaching chariots with their shields. Maximus then obtains one of the horses to ride on and his team then overwhelmed the remaining chariots via teamwork.
Commodus is surprised that the "Carthaginians" managed to win, but is curious to meet the leading gladiator while followed by General Quintus and his Praetorian Guard. Maximus reveals himself to Commodus and declares vengenace for the deaths of his family and his emperor; Commodus is unhappy with this revelation and initially plans to have Maximus killed, but is compelled by the crowd to let the gladiators live. Later on that night, Maximus is visited by Commodus' sister and Aurelius' daughter Lucilla. It soon becomes clear that they were previously lovers, but then Maximus confronts Lucilla when she explains that certain powerful individuals oppose Commodus but do nothing to stop him; Lucilla then explains just how frightened she is of Commodus, that she is partially aware that her brother had killed their father to become emperor, and that she is mostly scared for the life of her young son Lucius Verus because of Commodus' reign of terror. By then, Lucius has become a fan of Maximus as well.
The next day, Commodus pits Maximus in the arena for a battle against a retired gladiator known as Tigris of Gaul. Their battle starts out with Maximus managing to hold his ground, but then Commodus arranges for workers at the edges to unleash tigers against Maximus in an attempt to kill him. However, he manages to evade the tigers and even kill one despite still fighting an experienced gladiator. The duel continues until Maximus manages to defeat the retired gladiator. The crowd calls on Maximus to finish off his opponent and Commodus puts out a thumbs-down signal, ordering Maximus to kill Tigris at the crowd's urging, but Maximus instead spares his opponent by dropping his axe - in an act of defiance against Commodus. The crowd cheered Maximus on regardless, referring to him as "Maximus the Merciful," while Commodus is further enraged by Maximus' growing popularity. Commodus later confronts Maximus for his defiance and taunts him over the deaths of his family, but Maximus rebuffs Commodus and walks away from him.
Roman citizens and senators seize this opportunity to taunt Commodus for his corruption and weakness while at the same time praising Maximus for his daring feats. Maximus later meets up with Lucilla and Proximo, along with senators such as Gracchus and Gaius as well as the Felix Legions led by his right-hand man Cicero. Together, they come up with a plan to free Maximus and send him back to his still loyal legions in order to topple Commodus by force so they can overthrow him. Unfortunately, Commodus discovers the plot when Lucius unknowingly hints at the conspiracy; Commodus then forces Lucilla to explain everything by threatening Lucius in front of her. Commodus then has the Praetorian Guards attack the gladiators' barracks; Juba and Gracchus are arrested while Proximo and the rest of his men, including Hagen, sacrifice themselves to enable Maximus to escape. Maximus manages to meet up with Cicero at the rendezvous, but they are ambushed and Maximus is captured whilst Cicero is killed in front of him.
In an effort to win back public approval, Commodus challenges Maximus to a duel in the Colosseum. He stabs Maximus in the side before the match to gain an advantage. Despite his injuries, Maximus disarms Commodus after steadily getting the upper hand in the fight. Commodus then demands a sword from Quintus, but the latter refused after growing unsettled with Commodus' evil nature; Quintus goes as far as to prevent the Praetorian Guard from giving their swords to Commodus when he continues to demand one from them. Commodus then unsheathes a hidden dagger and attempts to kill Maximus, but ultimately fails when Maximus dodges the attacks and turns the tables on Commodus by beating him up; Maximus then overpowers Commodus by driving the dagger into his throat, finally killing Commodus once and for all. 
Upon having claimed vengeance against Commodus and fulfilling his true emperor's legacy, Maximus begins succumbing to his wounds - he asks Quintus to release his fellow gladiators, have Senator Gracchus reinstated, and for politican reforms that Marcus Aurelius has wished to accomplish before his untimely murder. After Quintus complies with his last wishes, Maximus collapses on the ground as Lucilla rushes to his side; Maximus tells her that Lucius is safe now that Commodus is dead, and she in turn urges Maximus to reunite with his family by telling him "go to them". After hearing those words, Maximus eventually succumbs to his injuries and dies in front of Lucilla; as he passes away, Maximus has a vision of reuniting with his wife and son in Elysium.
Shortly after Maximus' death, Lucilla declares Maximus to be a soldier of Rome and tells everyone to honor him. Everyone then carries his body out of the area, while the dead corpse of Commodus is left behind. Later that night, Juba buries effigies of his wife and son where Maximus fell in an act of respect. He promises to see Maximus again, but "not yet".
===Gladiator II===
To be added
==Skills and Abilities==
* Leadership Skills
* Exceptional Charisma
* Master Strategist
* Master Tactician
* Master Swordsman
* Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant
* Expert Short-Bladed Weapon Wielder
* Expert Javelin Thrower
* Expert Horseman
* Peak Physical Condition
* High Endurance
* High Pain Tolerance
==Quotes==
==Gallery==
3908-24800.gif|Maximus in the Gladiator trailer.
gladiator-2000-maximus-asking-the-crowd-are-you-not-entertained.png|Maximus angrily tells the crowd "Are you not entertained!?"
gladiator-2000-maximus-kills-commodus.png|Maximus kills Commodus, finally avenging the deaths of his family and his emperor in the process.
gladiator-2000-maximus-reunites-with-his-family-in-the-afterlife.png|Maximus reunites with his wife and son in the afterlife.
==Trivia==
*Russell Crowe (the actor who played Maximus) won the Best Actor category at the 73rd Academy Awards ceremony.
**Coincidentally, the movie Gladiator won four other Academy Awards - including Best Picture.
**As such, Maxiums is widely considered to be Crowe's finest performance role and one of the best movie heroes of all time.
== External Links ==
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