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.

In ancient Rome, after the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, loyal general Maximus is betrayed and sentenced to death by the new emperor, Commodus. Escaping execution, Maximus is enslaved and ...

Commodus’ first thought is to have Maximus killed, but the crowd is on the gladiator’s side. Commodus reluctantly decides to imprison Maximus so that he can fight again in a grand battle in ...

Under Commodus’ rule, Rome’s political landscape becomes increasingly unstable. The new emperor controls the Senate with fear while eating away Rome’s resources to fund 150 days of Colosseum ...

British actor Derek Jacobi returns to play Sen. Gracchus in “Gladiator II.” In the first film, he plotted with Maximus and Lucilla to overthrow Commodus.

Commodus is often blamed for the end of Pax Romana because his reign was marked by corruption, erratic behavior, and instability. He also had a preoccupation with the gladiatorial games, as ...

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.

Maximus gains allies, and among them is his former lover Lucilla, Commodus' sister. She and her son Lucius are stuck under her brother's malicious thumb.