MovieChat Forums > Gladiator (2000) Discussion > Only Undefeated Gladiator?

Only Undefeated Gladiator?

posted 10 years ago by PartialScorn
13 replies | jump to latest

I watched Gladiator again on Netflix last night, and was troubled when Tigris is introduced as Rome's only undefeated Gladiator in history. Was Proximo freed having survived defeat via a thumbs up? What about "The Spaniard" (as they knew him at the time)? Wasn't he undefeated up until that point both inside and outside Rome? Did they instead mean the only person of Roman descent who had been undefeated?

I know the line sets up the drama, but it really stuck out during the re-watch. What are your thoughts?

[–] Drunken_Bastard 10 years ago

I would assume that Tigris was the only current undefeated gladiator.

[–] PartialScorn 10 years ago

Tigris had come out of retirement for the match, so he wouldn't be current.

[–] geearf 8 years ago

Rome had no more Gladiators till these games to honor the previous Caesar.
It's not impossible that he retired when Rome stopped having games.

[–] Drunken_Bastard 10 years ago

I'm not sure what to say, technically shy gladiator that of fighting and not dead is undefeated. Maybe it was just for Maximus to look more badass. Would've been silly for him to fight a 60 year old guy.

[–] I_am_Particle_Man 9 years ago

When I heard that line, I took it as the undefeated home-town gladiator. Gladiators that were brought in, such as Maximus, were the away team.

[–] PartialScorn 9 years ago

That is a very good point. Thanks.

[–] Gandalf886 9 years ago

The speaker could have been lying as well.

[–] SpiltPersonality 9 years ago

Ok, we know Proximo was given his freedom, but he could have been defeated but not killed (thumbs up etc).

We know that until that point Maximus (at the very least, but the Numidian as well so far as we know) were undefeated, but I would think being still 'active' makes them not undefeated/not defeated/yet to be seen type.

The Gaul, was (it seems) never defeated, and retired from the games, so a little 'special'.

It's similar (I think) to the fact that Mohammed Ali was a retired undefeated heavy-weight (until he stupidly came out of retirement) and would have had (at that time) a lot more respect as such than a current reigning, heavy-weight.

Just my opinion.

[–] imadbasayev 8 years ago

Ali never retired undefeated. His decision losses in the first Frazier and Norton fights were years before his first retirement.

[–] SpiltPersonality 8 years ago

Ok, I stand corrected, but it does actually illustrate my point... the Gaul could easily have been defeated, but not killed, yet in the days without the internet, easily could have had an 'only undefeated' myth made up about him. Hell, an entire WAR was fought because of the mistaken belief that Marcus Aurileus was dead (real history, not this movie)

[–] Jackpot777 8 years ago

"We who are about to die SALLLOOOOOOOOT YOOOOUUU!!"

LFC
NYK
U CANT C ME
10 YEARS STRONG

[–] SpiltPersonality 8 years ago

I doubt Tigris was the only undefeated gladiator in history, but I'll address your 'in movie' questions:

1 - Proximo quite conceivably could have been defeated. You don't have to be killed to be beaten as a Gladiator. Indeed, many were not.

2 - 'the Spaniard' was undefeated, but not to conclusion. I.e. he could have been defeated before his 'retirement'. That was yet to be seen.

3 - 'propaganda' of the announcement. Truth doesn't matter, must exciting the mob.

SpiltPersonality

[–] 8 years ago

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