Assignment 10: The Roman Empire—Politics Please view and review one of the following. - Gladiator (2000) is the blockbuster film directed by Ridley Scott on the end of the era of the “Five Good Emperors” and the beginnings of turmoil, as represented by the death of the Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the reign of his debauched son, Commodus, and the struggles of a noble former General, Maximus. It stars Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, and Russell Crowe as Maximus. Available for rent at Netflix
- The Fall of the Roman Empire (1963) is the earlier film directed by Anthony Mann on the end of the era of the “Five Good Emperors” and the beginnings of turmoil, as represented by the death of the Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the reign of his debauched son, Commodus, and the struggles of a noble former General, Livius. It stars Alec Guinness as Marcus Aurelius, Christopher Plummer as Commodus, and Stephen Boyd as Livius. Available for rent at Netflix and for viewing on the Blog.
Readings: - Dio Cassius on Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Pertinax
- Herodian’s Roman History on Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Pertinax (Bk.1, and Bk.2, chapt. 1-7)
- Scriptores Historiae Augustae on Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Pertinax
- Will Durant on Marcus Aurelius and Commodus
- Roman Imperial armies and camps, as described by Josephus
- A Roman Imperial Army on the March, as described by Josephus
- The Battle of Teutoburg Forest, described by Paterculus
- The Roman Games Under Domitian
- Pertinant sections of The Fall of the Roman Empire--History and Film, Edited by Martin Winkler
- Gladiator in Big Screen Rome
- Article "Popcorn and Circus: Gladiator and the Spectacle of Virtue"
- Article "Ridley Scott's Gladiator and the Spectacle of Empire"
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