10. GLADIATOR PLOT

This story tells us how a well-known warrior ends being a gladiator. Maximus Decimus is the general who leads armies of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. After many battle winnings, he gained the confidence of the Emperor and they got on really well. As the Emperor is old and is about to die, he decides that he wants Maximus to be the next Emperor and not his son, Commodus. When his son Commodus finds out the decision of his father, he murders him and proclaims himself the new Emperor. Commodus ordered the guards to kill Maximus, but he manages to escape and saves his life. As a consequence, Commodus kills the entire family of Maximus and then he’s taken and sold to Proximo, who uses him as a gladiator. Maximus is forced to fight in local tournaments, and he wins every match because of his superior skill. He makes friends with Proximo’s other gladiators. Maximus’s successes allow Proximo to bring the team to the Roman Colosseum. There, Maximus tells Proximo that what he wants is to be free and kill Commodus. In the first fight, Maximus and the other gladiators aren’t armed too much but somehow they manage to beat their opponents. When this battle ends, Commodus congratulates himself Maximus and here is when Maximus removes his helmet and identifies to the Emperor. As the crowd loves and enjoys him, he does not kill Commodus yet.

After all of that, the Emperor wants Maximus to be dead as soon as possible. He makes him fight against the best other gladiators that exist and with even animals. As Maximus beats them successfully again, the Emperor gets more angry every time. He knows that people don’t like him and don’t accept him as the roman Emperor.

The story ends when Maximus finally kills the Emperor Commodus. As everyone noticed his courage and loyalty to the Roman Empire, he is well accepted and at this time everyone is at his side. No one cares about Commodus any more.