Journal Questions: Gladiator
Choose one of the groups of questions below to answer in a journal response. Remember, a journal
response needs to be at least 1 page long. Make sure to include details from the movie to support your
answer.
Option 1 – Religion in Ancient Rome
 By using the comments and actions of the various characters, what conclusions can you draw
about the nature of religious belief in this time period?
 What religious practices, rituals, or traditions are depicted in the film?
 Discuss the similarities or the differences you see between religion as demonstrated in the film
and modern religions.
Option 2 – Social Class in Ancient Rome
 What social classes can you distinguish among the Roman people?
 Describe the differences in lifestyle, experience, and privilege between the classes. What
conclusions can you draw about the nature of Roman slavery?
 Do you see examples of social mobility or movement from one class to another.
Option 3 – Politics in Ancient Rome
 What political structure does Rome possess? Who has power and authority?
 What efforts are being made to change the political structure and by whom?
 What did Marcus Aurelius hope would happen? What is the role of the army in the Roman Empire?
Option 4 – Historical Accuracy (This requires outside research.)
 How historically accurate was the movie?
 Based on your outside research, do you think that Gladiator is a useful movie in terms of learning
about ancient Rome? In what ways is it useful and in what ways is it problematic?
Background
The Roman Republic endured from 509-264 BCE. Beginning in 264 BCE, the Romans conquered
most of the Mediterranean world and built an immense empire. At its height the Roman Empire consisted
of 3.5 million square miles and ruled one quarter of the world’s population (50 million people).
They regularly maintained an army of 400,000 men and built over 50,000 miles of quality roads.
The capital city Rome had a population that at times topped 1,000,000 and the Coliseum, built as an arena
for entertainments, could seat 50,000 spectators.
Characters
 Marcus Aurelius – (161-180ad) one of the “Five Good Emperors” (Richard Harris)
 Commodus – emperor’s son, next in line of succession (Joaquin Phoenix)
 Lucillus – emperor’s politically savvy daughter (her son, Lucius)
 Maximus Decimus Meridius – general of the Roman army of the north, greatly beloved by the
emperor and by his soldiers, from Spain (Russell Crowe)
 Quintus – second-in-command to General Maximus ; Cicero – personal servant to General
Maximus
 Proximo – owner/manager of a troop of slave/gladiators (Oliver Reed); Juba – slave/gladiator
who becomes Maximus fighting partner (Djimon Hounsou)