Commodus kills ostriches in a Roman arena, likely the Colosseum. (Image credit: Alamy) In the second century A.D., one Roman emperor decided to display his prowess by fighting in the arena.

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.

Commodus is fascinating, though, because many historians point to his reign as the tipping point for the Roman Empire. He took a modern global empire at the height of its cultural power and ...

Phoenix embraces Commodus’ weaknesses, imbuing every scene he’s in with a genius mix of dread, pity, and misery. They say a hero is only as good as his villain, and Commodus proves it.

The original film follows Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the son of the emperor, who kills Meridius' wife and child.