Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius has chosen his general Maximus as his heir, over his son Commodus. When Marcus tells this to Commodus, the politically astute Commodus murders him. He asks Maximus to join him, and accept him as emperor.

Upon is denial he orders the annihilation of Maximus and his family. While Maximus survives, his son and wife are brutally murdered. He loses the will to live. He is captured by slave-traders and sold as a slave.

He gets back his will to live, and fight, when he realizes that he might have the opportunity to avenge the death of his son and wife as a gladiator.

But, will he succeed? 

Rating: Green - an amazing saga! Must watch! 

PS: As is usual with period movies, this movie may also have errors in places, some unintentional, and some intentional as the makers might have taken creative freedom.