In the film, Rome’s dying emperor Marcus Aurelius fears that his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) is unfit to succeed him because of his immaturity, rage and selfishness. Instead, Aurelius ...

Marcus Aurelius is the emperor of Rome who chooses Maximus to lead when he is gone rather than his own son, Commodus. Aurelius sees Maximus as his true son and expresses his wish that this was ...

The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see," Marcus writes ... and the realization that his son Commodus was destined to be a bad ruler. But when he removed his feelings from ...

Maximus is a powerful Roman general, loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Before his death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus ...

Intent on securing peace and prosperity throughout the mighty Roman Empire, the wise diplomat, Emperor Marcus Aurelius ... his corrupt son and logical successor, Commodus. As a result, high ...