<P> Gladiator is a 2000 American epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson . It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed (in his final role), Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel, and Richard Harris . Crowe portrays Hispano - Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne . Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor . </P> <P> The film was released in the United States on May 5, 2000, and grossed $457 million worldwide . The film won multiple awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Crowe and three other Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards . It has also been credited with rekindling interest in entertainment centered around ancient Greek and Roman culture, such as the TV series Rome . </P> <P> In AD 180, Hispano - Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius intends to return to his home after he leads the Roman army to victory against the Germanic tribes near Vindobona on the Limes Germanicus . Emperor Marcus Aurelius tells Maximus that his own son, Commodus, is unfit to succeed and that he wishes Maximus to succeed him, as regent, to help save Rome from corruption . Commodus murders his father when he is told about the plan . </P> <P> Commodus announces he is the new Emperor, asks Maximus for his loyalty, and the general refuses . Maximus is arrested by guards and is told that he will die at dawn and meet his family in the afterlife, but he kills his captors and rides for his home near Trujillo . He finds it burning and his family murdered . Maximus buries his wife and son; then collapses . He is found by slavers who take him to the Roman province of Zucchabar, where he is sold to a gladiator trainer named Proximo . </P>

Who were the romans fighting in gladiator movie