Maximus Meridius Kicking Ass | Gladiator | All Action

Russell Crowe's most epic moments as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the arena! General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) was a respected military leader, and even chosen to be the next Roman Caesar, but when the scheming Commodus killed his own father and made himself the next ruler of the Roman Empire, Maximus was disposed of and forced into slavery as a Gladiator. From Gladiator (2000): Commodus takes over power and demotes Maximus, one of the preferred generals of his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius. As a result, Maximus is relegated to fighting till death as a gladiator.