Gladiator stars Russell Crowe as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius and Richard Harris as Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a powerful general who is loved by the people, his Army and the Emperor himself. After years of serving Rome on the battlefield, Maximus wishes to return home to his wife and son. But fate has a different plan for his life. His destiny becomes one of slavery where the arena is his battlefield, and he kills to entertain the mob. Maximus surrenders to the life handed to him by the gods and becomes a great gladiator. As fate intervenes once again, Maximus finds himself back in Rome. Stripped of his military status, he is known only as "The Spaniard." Once again, Maximus finds he must serve the wishes of his Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), and face an opponent who holds the dream of Rome in his hands.moreless