From 180 to 192 C.E., Emperor Commodus ruled ancient Rome with an insatiable lust for power that brought an end to the fabled Pax Romana.

Gladiator dropped in 2000 — that’s over two decades ago. Ridley Scott directed the film, and Russell Crowe went full beast ...

While Commodus’ reign was short-lived in Gladiator, the reality is that he ruled Rome for about 12 years. He was not killed in the Colosseum, but was instead murdered by a wrestler named Narcissus.

Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and is taken to Rome to fight in front of Commodus. Ultimately, Commodus and Maximus fight a duel and both of them — spoiler alert — die.

The Ridley Scott sequel Gladiator II weaves in and out of the historical record. Here’s what really happened to Lucius Verus, Lucilla, Macrinus, the twin emperors, and more.

The Fall of the Roman Empire This made-in-Spain production is a giant-size, three-hour, sweepingly pictorial entertainment. It probably tells all that most film fans will want to know about the ...

Maximus’ defeat of Commodus in the arena 16 years prior should’ve led to a new golden era in Rome, but the resulting vacuum of leadership left the city an even more paranoid, dangerous place ...

Commodus rises to power as Rome's new emperor, but not everyone supports his ascent. Among those conspiring against him: his older sister Lucilla.

Film Trivia Fact Check: Were we robbed of a Gladiator product endorsement? The original script for Gladiator did have Maximus selling olive oil on a billboard. But was that based on reality?