Lessons In Manliness From Gladiator
January 26, 2008
There’s a reason men (and women) loved “Gladiator.” The main character Maximus Decimus Meridius is the epitome of manliness. Here are four lessons on manliness that we can learn from him.
He loved his family and was loyal to them
Maximus was a family man. He turned down the glory of being Emperor of Rome in order to embrace the warmth of familial love.
Marcus Aurelius: When was the last time you were home?
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Two years, two hundred and sixty-four days and this morning.
Although Maximus’ wife was brutally murdered, this did not dampen his devotion to her. Throughout the film a romantic tension exists between Maximus and the Emperor’s daughter. Yet Maximus stayed loyal to his dead wife and family and turned down her advances.
[Maximus looks at images of his wife and son]
Juba: Can they hear you?
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Who?
Juba: Your family. In the afterlife.
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Oh yes.
Juba:What do you say to them?
Maximus Decimus Meridius: To my son — I tell him I will see him again soon. To keep his heels down while riding his horse. To my wife… that is not your business.
He loved his country
Before Maximus became a gladiator, he was a loyal general in the Roman army. His men respected and honored him greatly.
When Rome falls into corrupted hands, he did not give up on his country. Loyally striving to fulfill the dying emperor’s wish for Roman rule to be restored to the people and the Senate, Maximus toils and sacrifices until the Republic is restored.
He could kick anyone’s ass, yet remained honorable.
“Gladiator” is known for its amazing fight scenes. In every battle, whether in war or in the arena, Maximus always defeated his opponent with a combination of brute force and strategy. He was able to ignore pain to get the job done. He never gave in to fear. Instead, he exuded an a quiet confidence that unnerved his opponents. He never doubted his ability to win.
Maximus: At my signal, unleash hell.
While Maximus excelled at the martial arts, he did not revel in bloodshed. He only fought when he needed to and in the service of a worthy cause.
He was in tune with spirituality
Maximus Decimus Meridius: What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Maximus devoted time to his spiritual life. He prayed to his gods. He had no doubt that his wife and son were waiting for him in the afterlife. Before each battle, Maximus would reach down and run dirt through his hands. It was as if he was asking the gods to be with him during the battle.
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Ancestors, I ask you for your guidance. Blessed mother, come to me with the Gods’ desire for my future. Blessed father, watch over my wife and son with a ready sword. Whisper to them that I live only to hold them again, for all else is dust and air. Ancestors, I honor you and will try to live with the dignity that you have taught me.
I agree… I loved Maximus. I also like Leonidas from 300… not quite the same story, but both had honor woven into the very core of their beings.
First time on the site and I clicked on this one with a silent chuckle running through my mind.
However, what I find isn’t something that makes me chuckle. This portrayal of values taken from the movie’s example has made me think rather deeply and suddenly about my own values. Perhaps it’s foolish to strive to be so strongly loyal or so deeply firm in devotion, but after reading this, I suddenly find myself wishing I was like Maximus.
Thank you. When content makes me think, it is worthy of my time and that of others.
A good lesson in manliness!
but isn’t maximus spanish not roman??
Maximus isnt Spanish, someone just dubbs him Spaniard and he never bothers to corrects them as he is past caring
Definitely agree with this post, Maximus was an awesome character.
@Jason: Leonidas vs. Maximus in a fight. Who would win? Discuss……
mercer, he is spanish!!! imbd: Was born in the province of Baetica in Hispania in AD 152. He was the son of Meridius, the governor of the province, and of Lucretia, the daughter of the Roman Senator Bodaus.
hispanic? ring any bells - he’s spanish-roman
He may have been invoking the gods by running dirt through his hands, but I would suggest he was also offsetting the effects of sweat and body oils to keep his weapon from slipping in his hands.
Minor point of thought though, good article and good insight. Kyle
@ James
“Perhaps it’s foolish to strive to be so strongly loyal or so deeply firm in devotion, but after reading this, I suddenly find myself wishing I was like Maximus.”
This made me think. My gut instinct tells me we all would want to pull off upholding these values. However, some may start saying that restricting oneself through these values is just foolish. I propose that it’s mere weakness due to our fear of failure that has anyone denounce these values as foolish. I know the only reason I’d not want to work to uphold these values is because I am afraid of my imperfect humanity, my incomplete manliness, showing itself by letting me down through occasional failure.