Welcome to episode two of Reel History! On this podcast we talk about historical movies and TV, anything that claims to be based on a true story, and we check- how bad they mess it up? What was life actually like during that time period?
This week we watched Gladiator (2000) starring Russel Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Oliver Reed as Proximo. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson.
Gladiator leads us into a discussion on the glory days of the Roman Empire. From the grandeur of the Empire and imperial power to the pitiless existence of the fighting slaves, we discuss how this time period came about. Just who was Marcus Aurelius and was Maximus Decimus Meridius even a real guy?
As this is a brand new podcast (part of the Shows What You Know network) we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources
Mary Beard- SPQR (2016)
Marcus Aurelius- Meditations (2006)
Cassius Dio- Roman History (1989)
The Five Good Emperors: The History of the Roman Empire during the Reigns of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius (2018)
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