Historical authenticity. The film is loosely based on real events that occurred within the Roman Empire in the latter half of the 2nd century AD. As Ridley Scott wanted to portray Roman culture more accurately than in any previous film, he hired several historians as advisors.

Was Maximus Decimus Meridius a real person?

Maximus Decimus Meridius: Maximus is an entirely fictitious character but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, a general in Marcus Aurelius' armies. He declared himself emperor shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle.

Did Commodus really fight a gladiator?

Commodus fought against professional gladiators as well as wild beasts. As Herodian wrote, “In his gladiatorial combats, he defeated his opponents with ease, and he did no more than wound them, since they all submitted to him, but only because they knew he was the emperor, not because he was truly a gladiator.”