Gladiator

Sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius’s death, Rome is ruled by corrupt twin emperors, Geta and Caracalla. Their greedy ambitions have led the city into turmoil, and the dream of Rome that Aurelius envisioned seems lost.

In Numidia, a young man named Lucius Verus Aurelius, known as Hanno, and his wife Arishat witness smoke and fire from a nearby battle. They join their fellow warriors to fight against the Roman army led by General Acacius.

During the battle, Acacius spots Arishat fighting bravely and orders her execution. Lucius watches helplessly as she is fatally shot and falls into the ocean, leading to his own unconscious state.

Surviving the battle barely, Lucius is taken as a slave along with other citizens. Acacius returns to Ostia, where he is rewarded by the twin emperors, planning future conquests.

Lucius is forced into combat with feral baboons in the arena overseen by Macrinus. He kills one of the beasts, which catches Macrinus’s attention, marking the beginning of his rise as a fighter.

Acacius and his wife, Lucilla, plot to incite an insurrection against the corrupt emperors. They seek to rally support amongst their allies, planning to use Lucius's growing fame to their advantage.

During the gladiator games in the Colosseum, Lucius faces undefeated champion Glyceo. After a brutal battle, Lucius manages to kill Glyceo, gaining the notice of the emperors and the crowd.

Lucilla visits Lucius in his cell to reveal his true parentage as the son of Maximus. Angered by memories of his past and the death of Arishat, Lucius refuses to accept her help.

Lucius leads a naval battle against the enemy ships, achieving victory by ramming their vessel. His attempt to take down Acacius backfires, further infuriating the emperors.

As plots unravel, Geta orders Acacius to fight in the games as punishment. Despite his success, Acacius faces Lucius and is slain, inciting a crowd outrage as Lucius decries the emperors’ treatment of heroes.

Macrinus manipulates the situation to eliminate Geta, leading to a bloody riot in the Colosseum. Lucius fights to protect his mother, but tragedy strikes as Lucilla is fatally wounded.

Lucius pursues Macrinus for a showdown as the armies face off. After a fierce battle, Lucius finds the strength to overcome Macrinus, slaying him and urging both sides to lay down their arms.

In the aftermath of the battle, Lucius rises amid the ashes of conflict, echoing his father's legacy and mourning his losses. He kneels in the sands of the arena, reflecting on the cost of his journey.