MovieChat Forums > Gladiator (2000) Discussion > Something I never quite got...

Something I never quite got...

posted 11 years ago by Bernnard_Black
4 replies | jump to latest

Good movie. Not terribly accurate and has the whiniest bad guy I've seen in a long time, but still and all a great film.

But, I have a question about something. Maximus' name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, according to what he says when he reveals himself to the Emperor. Fair enough and no worries.

But later, when he's introduced during his first solo fight in Rome as himself, the announcer calls him "Aelius Maximus".

Why the weird name change? Anyone know if there was some behind the scene explanation for that?

Here's to the health of Cardinal Puff.

[–] Lord_Supreme 11 years ago

This bit confused me too. The only thing that learned through my research was that the name should be written Meridius Decimus Maximus, not Maximus Decimus Meridius. I still can't explain the Aelius bit, though.

Oh my giddy aunt!

[–] ready-for-the-good-times 11 years ago

Decimus is his first name, Aelius is his family name. So in today's world he would be "Decimus Aelius". Maximus is an add-on name from Ancient Rome, kind of a nickname, meaning "the Great" and was used by many commanders and emperors. Meridius means something like "conquerer", another nickname.

So, when he is introduced as a gladiator, his simple name is used. Aelius Decimus. Surname and first name.

When he reveals himself, he uses his official titles. In English, it would be something like "Decimus the Great, the Conquerer of the South" . That's why he didn't use his surname, Aelius.

Technically, these names are not in the order that would have been used by Romans in that particular era.

[–] PacificPooch 9 years ago

Have seen the film a number of times, but had never noticed the "Aelius".

Good explanation by ready-for-the-good-times...this thread deserves to be saved from purging.

[–] pmac7902 9 years ago

I agree. These are the best posts, the ones that shed a little informed light on something.

~~~"Who do you think you're dealing with? Guess again."~~~