Gladiator‘s Emperor Commodus is based on the real-life leader of Rome, though the film makes notable changes to his characterization. Joaquin Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus is Gladiator‘s primary villain as the object of Maximus Decimus Meridius’ revenge. The latter, played by Russell Crowe, desires vengeance for the former’s murder of Marcus Aurelius, the attempted assassination of Maximus himself, and the needless killing of Maximus’ wife and son. By the time of Gladiator‘s climactic ending, Maximus succeeds in enacting his revenge.
