A MACHIAVELLIAN LOOK AT RIDLEY SCOTT'S GLADIATOR BASED ON THE FIRST BOOK OF THE DISCORSI

Abstract

Gladiator, a 2000 film, deals with fictional events in the Roman Empire. This work addresses themes of political philosophy and the state brought up in Niccolò Machiavelli's Discorsi. The objective of this work is to explore such themes developed by the Florentine philosopher using the film as a starting point. First, this work will present the narrative of the film and its historicity. Then, some topics will be addressed, such as forms of government, ingratitude and distrust, affection of the people and government reform. In the end, it will be clear that the film can be used as an illustration in the debate of the themes brought up by Machiavelli.