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The Movie "Gladiator" in Historical Perspective
by Allen Ward, University of ConnecticutOriginal text © 2001 Allen Ward
A more extensive version of this paper with documentation can be found in the May 2001 issue of the NEW ENGLAND CLASSICAL NEWSLETTER, edited by William Wyatt, Jr. [email protected].
What can a Roman historian say about the movie “Gladiator”? It was the best of films. It was the worst of films. One of the best things about this movie is that it is part of a long line of books, plays, films, and works of art that keep alive interest in the Ancient World among the general public, something at which artists and writers have been far more successful over the centuries than professional historians. Unfortunately, the creative minds who do the most to shape popular views of the past often have little regard for the level of accuracy that preoccupies professional practitioners of Clio’s craft. Artists and writers mine the past for raw materials that support their own creative agenda. Few writers other than the most scrupulous of historical novelists will ever let the facts that concern professional historians get between them and paying customers.
As the worst of films, “Gladiator” provides a perfect example. Right from the opening scene, the inaccuracies are legion. First, there was no last great battle with the Germanic tribes on the eve of Marcus Aurelius’ death. There was a great daylong battle late in the campaigning season of A.D. 179, but Marcus died on March 17 of 180, just as he was about to launch another great military campaign. One could say that the scriptwriters needed to foreshorten the chronology here to save time in a long movie, but they certainly played fast and loose with some other aspects of the battle. I have found no attested parallel to the war dog of the Roman commander Maximus, the movie’s hero, and if there were one, it would not have been a German shepherd, a breed that did not exist in Antiquity. The use of fire-hurling catapults and mechanical dart launchers against the oncoming barbarians was certainly dramatic but probably unhistorical. By and large such weapons were too cumbersome for use on the open battlefield and were confined to more static siege warfare.
The whole movie has radically compressed the chronology of the Emperor Commodus’ reign. He became sole emperor upon his father’s death in March of 180 and was assassinated almost thirteen years later on December 31, 192.Although the time encompassed by “Gladiator” is not precisely indicated, it would appear that no more than two years could have elapsed before Commodus was killed. Within that time-frame, however, the script does utilize some historical facts: Commodus was fascinated with shows of beast hunting, chariot racing, and gladiatorial combat; he did train himself in those skills; and eventually, to the ultimate scandal of all classes, he fought in the public arena as the kind of light-armed gladiator known as a secutor (pursuer). In an inscription, he even boasted of his 620 victories in gladiatorial combat.
Maximus
Are you not entertained?
Fratres! Three weeks from now I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line. Stay with me. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled; for you are in Elysium, and you're already dead! [The soldiers laugh] Brothers, what we do in life, echoes in eternity.
At my signal, unleash hell.
My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Armies of the North. General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife – and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
[addressing crowd after killing gladiator in solo fight] Are you not entertained? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?! Is this not why you're here?!
Gladiator (2000 film)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gladiator
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ridley Scott
Produced byDouglas WickDavid FranzoniBranko Lustig
Screenplay byDavid FranzoniJohn LoganWilliam Nicholson
Story by David Franzoni
Starring
Russell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenOliver ReedDerek JacobiDjimon HounsouRichard Harris
Music by Hans ZimmerLisa Gerrard
Cinematography John Mathieson
Edited by Pietro Scalia
Productioncompany
Scott Free ProductionsRed Wagon Entertainment [1]
Distributed by DreamWorks Pictures (North America)
Universal Pictures (International)
Release dates May 1, 2000 (Los Angeles)
May 5, 2000 (United States)
May 12, 2000 (United Kingdom)
Running time 155 minutes[2] (Theatrical cut)
164 minutes[3] (Director's cut)
Country United States[4]
United Kingdom[5]
Language English
Budget $103 million[6][7]
Box office $457,640,427
Gladiator is a 2000 British-American epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final film role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the fictional character, loyal Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when the emperor Marcus Aurelius's ambitious son, Commodus, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murder of his family and his emperor.
Released in the United States on May 5, 2000, Gladiator was a box office success, received generally positive reviews, and was credited with rekindling interest in the historical epic. The film won multiple awards, notably five Academy Awards in the 73rd Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.
Profile of Regency of East Sumba
Regency of East Sumba is geographically located on 119o45 - 120o52 East Longitude and 9o16- 10o20 South Latitude. Regency of East Sumba is adjancent to :" West : Regency of West Sumba " East : Sabu Ocean" North : Sumba Strait " South : Indian Ocean
Regency of East Sumba that is capitalized in Waingapu has wide area of 7000,50 square kilometers and is divided into 140 villages, 16 districts and 22 sub-districts.
Main commodity of East Sumba are agriculture, plantation, fishery, livestock and services sector. Main commodity of agriculture sector are from plantation sub-sector with commodity of cocoa,
coffee, coconut, clove, and cashew, jatropha, kapok, hazelnut, areca nut, tobacco, vanilla and agriculture sub-sector with commodity of corn, soybean, sweet potato and cassava. Fishery sector : fresh water pond culture, sea culture and brackish cultivation. Livestock sector : cow, pig, sheep, goat, buffalo and horse. Main commodity of services sector is tourism, namely culture and nature tourism.
To support economic's activity, this regency has 1 airport, namely Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport and 1 seaport, namely Waingapu Port.
Source: Nusa Tenggara Timur Dalam Angka 2013(01-9-2007)Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Nusa Tenggara TimurJl. R. Suprapto No. 5 Kelurahan Oebobo Kupang 85111Telp (0380) 8554535Fax (0380) 8554535
Tourist AttractionsEast Sumba Regency
ART DAN HANDICRAFT
The special characteristics of ikat weaving give important contribution for the fame of East Sumba in the world. Here, the process of tying plays an important role. Before weaving, thread is tied based on the pattern decided before. After that, it is died into dye. Up to now, people still use thread which is spun manually. [+]
DEATH AND FUNERAL
Death is seen as a transition between worldly life and the next. Therefore, funeral has to be done with special ceremony so that the spirit can enter Praimarapu (heaven) properly. After the corpse kept, even
for years, people do a butchering ceremony where buffalos and horses are slaughtered as an offering to the spirit. This ceremony is conducted in two stages. [+]
KALALA BEACH
It is 124 Km from Waingapu. The white-sandy beach wave chasing each other makes this beach an enjoyable place for tourists. There are six home stays in this place. The beach that directly faces the open sea guarantees special enjoyment for divers, surfers, and those who just want to enjoy the beachs �and mountains scenery.� [+]
LAIWANGI WANGGAMETI NATIONAL PARK
Laiwangi wanggameti national park is located in the south part of the island an is about 100 Km from Waingapu. There are various kinds of unique biodifersity (flora,fauna,and natural ecosystem). [+]
LAPUTI WATERFALL
This tourism object located in praingkareha village, sub district tabundung,about 115 Km from waingapu. The waterfall flows all the time through stones.Com and enjoy it your self. On the peak you can see a sacret lake,where there are sacret eels that you must not catch or eat. According to the belief of the local people,if someone eats the eels,the person will surely die. [+]
LONDA LIMA BEACH
Londa Lima beach is sometimes known as Kuta beach (Kuta means betel� � vine-sirih) because it is located in Kuta village, about 12 km from Waingapu. It is a white-sandy beach with so many visitors in holidays. This beach is used for picnic, sun-bathing, and fishing. You can also buy fresh fish caught by local fisherman. [+]
MATAWAI PARK
It is an interesting place for relaxing spending your spare time with your family. It is located in the centre of Waingapu with two swimming pools and two springs.
Prailiu Village
OverviewPrailiu is one of the many traditional and exotic villages in Sumba. It is located in a suburb area of Waingapu, the capital city of East Sumba District about two kilometers away from the city center. Despite rapid development, traditional tall houses with sharp leaf roofs are still apparent here. However, you can now see many zinc roof houses with different designs. [+]
PURU KAMBERA BEACH
After one hour trip from Waingapu, you can enjoy the beauty of the beach. It is also an amazing place for relaxing, diving, doing sport and other activities. This tourism object is located in Mondu village, sub district Haharu, about 26 Km from Waingapu.
TARIMBANG BEACH
It is a half-circled white-sandy beach with beautiful sea, and located in Tarimbang village, sub district Tabundung about 120 Km from Waingapu. The beach which is also located in south part of Sumba island is used by tourist for sun-bathing, swimming, diving, surfing and water skiing. Besides that you can also enjoy the nine-level wave. [+]
TRADITIONAL DANCE
TRADITIONAL DANCEVarious traditional dances in East Sumba are presented in ritual ceremonies, stagings and government activities, companied by traditional songs, gong, traditional drum and musical instrument from bamboo (nggunggi and� junggga au).� [+]
TRADITIONAL HOUSE
It has sharp and pointed roof, looks like a tower in which heirlooms (Tanggu Marapu) are kept. Each traditional house has three sides : underside, middle side and upper side, reflecting natural symbol in Sumbanese view which are : under world (place of spirit), middle world (place of mankind) and upper world (place of goods). [+]
WALAKIRI BEACH
It is located in Watukamba, sub district Pandawai about 24 Km from Waingapu. It is a beautiful place for to relax and enjoy the sunrise
