Gladiator - Film And History

This is the first book to analyze Ridley Scott’s film Gladiator from historical, cultural, and cinematic perspectives.

• The first systematic analysis of Ridley Scott’s film, Gladiator.
  
• Examines the film’s presentation of Roman history and culture.
  
• Considers its cinematic origins and traditions.
  
• Draws out the film’s modern social and political overtones.
  
• Includes relevant ancient sources in translation.

Martin M. Winkler is Professor of Classics at George Mason University, Virginia, U.S.A. He is the editor, most recently, of Juvenal in English (2001) and Classical Myth and Culture in the Cinema (2001). He has also published articles on Roman literature, the classical tradition, and on classical and medieval culture and mythology in film.

List of Illustrations.

Notes on Contributors.

Editor's Preface.

1. Gladiator from Screenplay to Screen: Jon Solomon (University of Arizona).

2. Gladiator and the Traditions of Historical Cinema: Martin M. Winkler (George Mason University).

3. Gladiator in Historical Perspective: Allen M. Ward (University of Connecticut-Storrs).

4. The Pedant Goes to Hollywood: The Role of the Academic Consultant: Kathleen M. Coleman (Harvard University).

5. Commodus and the Limits of the Roman Empire: Arthur M. Eckstein (University of Maryland).

6. Gladiators and Blood Sport: David S. Potter (University of Michigan).

7. Gladiator and the Colosseum: Ambiguities of Spectacle: Martin M. Winkler (George Mason University).

8. The Vision of a Fascist Rome in Gladiator: Arthur J. Pomeroy (Victoria University of Wellington).

9. Gladiator and Contemporary American Society: Monica S. Cyrino (University of New Mexico).

10. The Politics of Gladiator: Peter W. Rose (Miami University of Ohio).

11. The Major Ancient Sources:.

Cassius Dio on Commodus.

The Augustan History: Commodus.

Herodian on the Death of Commodus.

Aurelius Victor on Commodus.

Chronology: The Roman Empire at the Time of Commodus.

Further Reading.

Index to Chapters 1-10