Gladiator: What if Maximus Survives the Combat?

The ending of Gladiator leaves us with a profound sense of regret: the brave former Roman general and now gladiator, Maximus (Russell Crowe), defeats the tyrant Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) in extremely unfavorable circumstances, restoring power to the Senate. However, he ultimately succumbs to the wounds he sustained during the fight and dies.

This ending is so poignant because we know Maximus could have had a much better future. He was favored by the former emperor, Marcus Aurelius, who even intended to pass the throne to him. But a tragic twist of fate led to Aurelius's untimely death, and his power-hungry, brutal son Commodus ascended to the throne. As a result, Maximus not only lost the chance to become emperor but was further reduced to a prisoner, while Commodus cruelly murdered his wife and son.

But what if Maximus had survived the duel with Commodus and ascended to the throne, supported by the people’s will? Would Rome's fate have been any different?

Firstly, we can be sure that it was entirely possible for Maximus to become emperor. Commodus's inept rule had severely damaged Rome’s finances, and his weak and ineffective diplomatic strategies had undermined the empire's military strength. Under these circumstances, both the military and the Senate were merely refraining from rebellion out of fear of Commodus’s power. Maximus's victory in the duel removed all obstacles associated with Commodus's authority and given that his prestige had already reached its peak in Rome, there would be no other candidate for the throne.

Maximus held great respect both in the military and within the Senate. The soldiers, who had fought many battles under his command, were unquestionably loyal to him. The Senate had also conspired with Maximus in the failed coup attempt, creating a bond of shared revolutionary sentiment. Coupled with Maximus's longstanding support for the republican system, it was highly likely that he would work to weaken centralized power and return significant authority to the Senate if he took the throne.

At the same time, Maximus, who was not well-versed in politics, could have had a powerful ally within the ruling class. Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Aurelius’s daughter and Maximus's former lover, had grown up within the inner circle of power and was well acquainted with the strategies and intricacies of political maneuvering. While Maximus, a lifelong soldier to that point, might not be adept at political tactics, forming an alliance with Lucilla and heeding her counsel could have enabled him to balance the power between the military and the Senate, appease high-ranking officials, and ensure their peaceful coexistence—achievements that might not have been impossible.

Even so, Maximus would still have had to face a series of challenges he could not easily overcome:

First, there were the numerous problems left behind by the former emperor, Commodus. Commodus's inept rule had led both the military and the Senate to adopt a “less is more” approach for quite some time, treating inaction as a wise choice. Could Maximus’s rise to power change this inertia in a short period? What strategies would he employ to achieve this? These would all pose significant challenges for him.

Secondly, during the time in which Maximus lived, the Roman Empire's socio-political environment was already deeply fragmented. While the Senate remained a symbol of republican governance, its power and influence had greatly diminished after years of autocratic rule. Restoring the authority of the Senate would require major reforms, which might necessitate some compromises on Maximus’s part to balance the interests of the elite with the desires of the general populace. If factions within the Senate or the military opposed these restoration efforts, the risk of civil war could arise, much like what happened after the real-life assassination of Commodus in AD 192.

Strengthening the Senate's power would also potentially provoke discontent within the military, as the balance of power between the Senate and the army in Rome’s political structure was always a zero-sum game. Although Maximus commanded great respect within the army, if he encroached on the soldiers’ interests, there is a big question mark over whether his old subordinates would continue to obey him without question.

Any Roman leader would have to ensure the support of the military. Historically, leaders like Julius Caesar and Augustus solidified their power by effectively leveraging the backing of the army. However, attempting to transition from an autocratic regime back to a republican system might alienate certain military factions accustomed to centralized authority. Such a situation could lead to disastrous consequences: throughout Rome’s real history, there were numerous emperors assassinated by their soldiers for infringing upon their interests.

Aside from internal issues, Maximus would also have to contend with external threats. In the late 2nd century, the Roman Empire was facing invasions from tribes such as the Goths and Vandals. A weakened central government might struggle to effectively defend its borders. A turbulent political climate could exacerbate these threats, making it difficult for Rome to maintain control over distant provinces.

Therefore, even if Maximus had survived the gladiatorial combat and successfully become emperor of Rome, his path to rule would not have been smooth. He would have gained substantial support and assistance but would also have faced resistance from those with vested interests. His reign would undoubtedly have been stronger than that of the inept Commodus, but he might not have been able to single-handedly reverse the overall decline of the Roman Empire.

Moreover, we must also consider his psychological state. While he had the capability to shoulder the responsibilities of a Roman emperor, could his mindset sustain him in taking on this role? His wife and son had just been brutally murdered, and even Lucilla’s comfort might not have been enough to heal his wounds. Perhaps in the moment of defeating Commodus, what Maximus desired most was to leave this world and reunite with his wife and child in the afterlife.

From this perspective, while Maximus's death is indeed sorrowful, it might have been the most fulfilling ending for him.