MOVIEPROP.COM'S MOVIE REVIEW PAGES
Site Map>>Home>TV and Movie Pages>Reviews>Gladiator>
Essay on Religious Aspects in Gladiator
Historically one can say with some accuracy that the Roman's were religious people. They worshipped many gods and even took ideas for new gods from enemies they captured. In the movie Maximus and an african slave constantly talk about death and how it will allow for a reuinting with family. The movement of the clouds, and even the discipline of Roman Legions during the first battle in Germany implies a discipline forged through faith and religion. In the arena; in battle a gladiator is either meant to live or meant to die, the fates, and the crowds determine such things. Even the emperer himself in the colisseuem determines life or death via a thumbs up or thumbs down which is meant to appease the crowds, and appease the fates. An absolute ruler who can not even outright kill his own worst enemy implies a sense of fate. The Emperer Commodus states that the last thing he wishes is for Maximus to die a martyr. Martyr is a term often associated with cosmic or religious connotations. The Emperer fights Maximus himself in the Colisseum, such a course of action seems illogical, unless the fates or some religious power was at play. Rome fights barbarians rather than enemy nation states. Barbarians are deemed to be without the proper fate or guidance in life. In the movie and even throughout Rome's history, Rome attempts to take the legitimacy of religion away from their enemies so is it makes it easier to justify their conquest or slaughter.
Prop and Costume Collecting|Production Resources|V TV SERIES|TV and Movie Pages|Other Interests|Links|Store|
Movies and Television shows described herein are described for
purposes of academic study/review. Such works are trademarks of
their respective companies. Images, sounds and related
descriptive graphics, texts, and logos are presented herein
according to fair use provisions of United States copyright law.
Images, sounds and related descriptive graphics, texts, and logos
are trademarks of their respective companies. Images of
movieprop.com's collection or of its employees are our exclusive
property and as such are not to be reproduced without our
permission except in a manner consistant with fair use provisions
of United States copyright law or fair use provisions of
International Treaty if appropriate. Other images presented here
are credited to their source when possible or deemed to be in the
public domain.
Webpage text, design and layout are Copyright ©
1995-1999 movieprop.com and Mark Crawley. All Rights Reserved.