Gladiator (2000) roared into cinema history with its sweeping battles, emotional depth, and unforgettable performances. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe in a career-defining role, the film tells the story of Maximus — a Roman general who loses everything and rises again as a legend of the arena.
From whispered betrayals to roaring crowds, do you remember every detail of this Oscar-winning epic? Take this 10-question trivia quiz and prove you’re more than a slave — you’re a gladiator.
Gladiator (2000) Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to our Gladiator quiz, along with rich context and backstory to remind you why this film remains a timeless epic of revenge and redemption.
1) Who directed Gladiator (2000)?
Correct Answer: Ridley Scott
Visionary director Ridley Scott brought ancient Rome to life with visceral realism and cinematic grandeur. Known for Blade Runner and Alien, Scott delivered a masterclass in historical drama — blending brutal combat with powerful emotion and political intrigue.
2) Who plays the lead role of Maximus?
Correct Answer: Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe’s portrayal of Maximus Decimus Meridius — a loyal general turned vengeful gladiator — earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. His gravitas, physicality, and emotional depth carried the film and made the character one of the most iconic in modern cinema.
3) What title does Maximus hold before being betrayed?
Correct Answer: General of the Roman Army
Maximus is a decorated general beloved by his troops and Emperor Marcus Aurelius. His victories in battle and his moral integrity make him a threat to the corrupt ambitions of the emperor’s son, Commodus. This position makes his fall from grace all the more tragic.
4) Who murders Emperor Marcus Aurelius?
Correct Answer: Commodus
Commodus, played chillingly by Joaquin Phoenix, kills his father Marcus Aurelius in a desperate bid for power. Unable to accept that the emperor intended to pass leadership to Maximus, Commodus commits patricide and frames Maximus for treason, setting the story into motion.
5) What does Maximus famously shout to the crowd in the Colosseum?
Correct Answer: “Are you not entertained?”
After a brutal and skillful victory in the arena, Maximus turns to the silent, stunned audience and delivers this unforgettable line — mocking their appetite for bloodsport. It has since become one of the most quoted lines in film history.
6) What is the name of the emperor’s sister?
Correct Answer: Lucilla
Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, is a complex character torn between loyalty to her son, fear of her brother Commodus, and love for Maximus. Her intelligence and political cunning play a key role in the underground resistance against the tyrannical emperor.
7) Which animal does Maximus fight in the Colosseum?
Correct Answer: Tigers
In one of the film’s most thrilling scenes, Maximus battles not only fellow gladiators but also chained tigers released into the arena. The choreography and practical effects added raw tension, reinforcing the gladiators’ role as pawns in Rome’s spectacle of death.
8) What is Maximus’s main motivation throughout the film?
Correct Answer: To avenge his family
After Commodus orders the execution of Maximus’s wife and son, Maximus is consumed by grief and rage. His journey through slavery and combat becomes a path of vengeance — not for power, but for justice. His love for his family remains his emotional anchor until the end.
9) What is the name of the gladiator trainer who mentors Maximus?
Correct Answer: Proximo
Proximo, portrayed by the late Oliver Reed, is a former gladiator turned slave owner who recognizes greatness in Maximus. Though initially a pragmatic businessman, Proximo grows to respect Maximus’s integrity and becomes a reluctant ally in his quest for revenge.
10) What does Maximus see in his visions before death?
Correct Answer: His wife and son in a field
As Maximus succumbs to his wounds after defeating Commodus, he envisions a reunion with his wife and son in the Elysian Fields — the Roman version of paradise. It’s a poignant and poetic moment that closes his arc with peace, closure, and eternal honor.
Gladiator remains a cinematic triumph — a sweeping tale of courage, loyalty, and the undying human spirit. If you scored 10/10, then you too are Maximus — loyal servant to the true emperor, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife… and quiz conqueror.
