Social Class and Concerns

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the movie 'Gladiator' that stars Russell Crowe and was directed by Ridley Scott. The writer notes that this is an epic fictional film based on historical events in the year 180 A.D and that it does not contain only the Hollywood entertainment value but also portrays social issues and concerns in the Roman society during the period. According to the writer, the film presents the rigid social class system as well as the social, political and economic problems of the Empire. In spite of there being several inaccuracies in the movie 'Gladiator', overall it presents a vivid picture of what it was like at the time. The writer concludes that whether in the fictionalized movie or the true events of history, Rome continued to fall into decay that ultimately led to its demise in A.D. 476, in a process that had been going on for centuries.

From the Paper:

"The Roman society at the time depicted in the movie Gladiator was burdened with all sorts of social, political and economic problems. Generally though, corruption and social inequality were the major issues. When Commodus took over from his murdered father, he declared martial law throughout the Roman Empire. This was due to his fear of being toppled from power and he ruled the Empire with an iron fist. People could not even speak of dissent otherwise they will be put to slavery - or worst off to death. There was political stability because the truth of the matter was that the Emperor did not get along with the Senators. Further, Rome was actually on the brink of bankruptcy due to the decades of waging war in the foreign territories."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gladiator. Dir. Ridley Scott. DVD. DreamWorks, 2000.
• Kreis, Steven. "Lecture 12: Augustus Caesar and Pax Romana." The History Guide's Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History. 28 Feb. 2006. 21 Mar. 2008. <http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture12b.html>.
• Kreis, Steven. "Lecture 13: A Brief Social History of the Roman Empire." The History Guide's Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History. 11 Oct. 2006. 21 Mar. 2008. <http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture13b.html>.
• Kreis, Steven. "Lecture 14: The Decline and Fall of Rome." The History Guide's Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History. 28 Feb. 2006. 21 Mar. 2008. <http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture14b.html>.
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The Roman Empire in the First Century. 2006. Devillier Donegan Enterprises. 21 Mar. 2008. <http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/index.html>.

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