The story takes place in the Antiquity. Maximus is a military commander, who is brave and faithful of emperor: Marcus Aurelius. The emperor remarks his courage, his strength during his fight. The emperor wants only Maximus obtains the power and became the new emperor.
Nevertheless, the emperor’s son, Commodus, learns this news. Accordingly, Commodus killed his father and gives the order to kill Maximus. He escapes but his wife and his son are assassinated. Then, he became slave and he’s sold to be a gladiator.