Theology and Philosophy in Gladiator?

The Film Gladiator as Spiritual Experience?

You may have seen the Academy Award-winning film Gladiator (2000). It truly is an impressive experience. Even songs on its soundtrack including Now We Are Free, have taken on a life of their own. You may find various versions of its music from symphony concerts to TikTok-videos.

However, have you thought that the film in question could contain religious or philosophical symbolism? In fact, I believe that it is the spiritual dimension of cinema that explains its popularity. I would even dare to say that the story contains strong Christ-symbolism. To substantiate my claim, let's dive into the plot and story of the film for a moment (spoiler alert).

The main character of the film is Maximus – a successful general of the Roman Empire. In the film, he serves the famous historical Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (c. 120–180 AD), who also became known as a Stoic philosopher. However, with the assassination of the emperor, Maximus is forced into exile after a failed attempt to kill him. His family, however, is killed for political reasons. The emperor's son Commodus saw Maximus as a threat to his own aspirations for power.

Having lost everything, Maximus is sold as a slave and eventually ends up in a gladiator school and as a gladiator. Through his excellent combat skills and fortitude of mind, his reputation as a gladiator grows to such an extent that Maximus' archenemy and new Roman emperor Commodus gradually begins to pay attention to him. The film ends with an iconic battle between Commodus, who drove the Roman Empire to the tyranny, and Maximus, the new and republic hope of the Roman Empire. Although Maximus is forced to sacrifice himself in the battle, a new hope eventually wins.

So what deeper do the film and its story tell?

First of all, in Maximus one can also see, at least from time to time, the influence of Stoic philosophy. He, especially as a gladiator, treats many adversities and facing death with great serenity. However, it is difficult to say whether the serenity is due precisely to the stoic acceptance of things as they are or to the cynicism of a person who has lost everything.

However, a possible stoic tendency does not lead Maximus to be completely apathetic or master of his emotions. In the film, he also falls into shock and bitter anger, which brings credibility and interest to the film's main character. A perfect movie hero is rarely or hardly ever interesting.

Secondly, there are also direct references to ancient Greek mythology in the film. For example, Maximus encourages his soldiers that if they die in battle, they will find themselves in the paradisiacal afterlife, Elysium. It also seems that at the end of the film, Maximus himself gets to meet his murdered family in Elysium.

Thirdly, one can also see deep Christ or Buddha symbolism in the film, which can be intentional or unintentional. The different stages of Christ and Buddha bear a resemblance to the life of Maximus:

• Both Maximus, Christ and Buddha are in an important and good position in the early stages: Maximus as a successful emperor, Christ before his birth as part of the triune God (so-called Christian pre-existential doctrine) and the Buddha as a prince immersed in a hedonistic life.

• A shocking or significant change occurs for all three: Maximus loses his family and military rank (as well as almost his life); in Christ God is born as a man to live, suffer and die; the Buddha strays away from the walled court and is shocked by the brutality of life when he sees immense suffering.

• In the end, each of the three overcomes, in different ways, the chains of suffering and death, bringing salvation to a large number of people: Maximus, winning the iconic battle against Commodus, hands over power to the Senate before he dies; Christ, by His resurrection, overcomes the chains of death and evil for His followers; The Buddha eventually attains nirvana or enlightenment and wants to share it with others, teaching for 45 years before he dies.

Since such stories have appealed to billions of people throughout the human history, I dare say that one of the reasons for the gladiator film's popularity is its deep spiritual dimension, which resonates on a human level. In other words, the story of the film represents a kind of universal human growth into a deeper and spiritual reality.

Central to this theme, often regardless of culture, is the idea that the savior becomes a relatable figure for us through various tragedies. After all, one of the defining factors of human life is precisely how we learn to cope with the occasional tragedy of life and the inevitable suffering inherent in life.

Because the Savior him- or herself has gone through these same tragedies in their worst forms, he or she is able to help those of us who are being afflicted, as the Epistle to the Hebrews says.

Actually, the savior figure not only helps us survive tragedies, he or she can even turn them to his or her advantage and to our advantage. This philosophical and theological perspective also offers an excellent ideal in which we too can try to turn suffering in our favor.

In my experience, there is a very deep strength and wisdom in life in this kind of attitude which can benefit from suffering. Since suffering and overcoming it is an essential thing in our lives, I think it's also a big reason why we want to watch and get excited about the same story repeatedly.