Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Commodus

All of the bad things that happen to Maximus are Commodus' fault. All of 'em.

Commodus kills Maximus' good friend, and his own father, Marcus Aurelius. Commodus tries to execute Maximus. Commodus orders Maximus' wife and son brutally murdered. Commodus tries get Maximus killed in the arena (by bringing a retired gladiator back and by putting freaking tigers in there).

He eventually uncovers the plot to get Maximus out of Rome, and then kills Maximus' good friend Cicero…before also stabbing Maximus in the back. Literally.

There's no doubt about it: Commodus is out to get Maximus, and if Commodus weren't in the film, then there would be no conflict.