Revisiting the Gladiator story so far before you watch Gladiator 2

To paraphrase Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning classic Gladiator, what we see at the cinema echoes in eternity. Don't miss your chance to formulate cinematic memories when Gladiator 2, Scott's long-awaited sequel, hits the big screen this November in an exhilarating blast of swords, sweat and bloodshed.

It might have been a while since you watched the original Gladiator so we're here to bring you up to speed on the story so far.

Who was Maximus Decimus Meridius?

Maximus was a commanding General in the army of the ailing Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris)
At the start of Gladiator, Maximus helps cement Aurelius' conquest of the known world by slaughtering the remaining tribes in Germania
Maximus longs to retire from the life of a soldier and return to a quiet, rural existence with his wife and son
However, Aurelius blocks this by urging Maximus to take up his stead as Emperor

What was Maximus' relationship with Lucilla?

Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) is the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and the one-time lover of Maximus
She has a son named Lucius (played in Gladiator by Spencer Treat Clark)

What was the course of the enmity between Maximus and Commodus?

Commodus is the son of Marcus Aurelius and hopes to become the new Emperor
Marcus Aurelius instead appoints Maximus, causing Commodus to murder his father in a rage
Out of spite, Commodus sends Maximus to be killed and dispatches a legion of soldiers to kill Maximus' family
Commodus then takes his place as Emperor at the height of the Roman Empire

How did Maximus rise to the top of the gladiatorial ranks?

Maximus survives his assassination attempt and grieves for his family
He is then sold into slavery under the small-time slave-owner Proximo (Oliver Reed) who sees Maximus as his meal ticket back into the gladiatorial big leagues
Maximus, Proximo and the rest of the gladiators travel to Rome where they participate in the gladiatorial games in the majestic Colosseum
Maximus quickly wins over the baying crowds with his tenacity and military tactics, eventually revealing his identity to the shocked Emperor Commodus
Maximus also makes contact with young Lucius who says he will cheer for him in the arena

What happened to Maximus at the end of his journey?

After much bloodshed and treachery, Maximus and Commodus prepare for a one-on-one conflict in the arena
Commodus injures Maximus before the fight but Maximus still manages to get the better of the Emperor, plunging a dagger into his throat and killing him
His vengeful mission complete, Maximus prepares to travel to the afterlife known as Elysium where he will be reunited with his wife and child
Before passing away, Maximus implores the Roman Senate to free the remaining gladiators and he tells Lucilla that Lucius is now safe from Commodus' machinations

How do the events of Gladiator set up the events of Gladiator 2?

Lucilla sends her son Lucius away to North Africa where he is safe from the violent influence of the Roman Empire
Years later the adult Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) is separated from his family when General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) arrives with his legion of troops
Lucius is sold into slavery underneath Macrinus (Denzel Washington) who plots to usurp power from sibling Emperors Caracella and Geta (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger)
Unbeknownst to his mother, Lucius is sent to Rome where he participates in escalatingly dangerous gladiatorial combat involving ships and wild animals
It's revealed that Lucius is Maximus' son and he must reckon with this legacy while surviving the arena and plotting to overthrow those who betrayed him