Only Undefeated Gladiator?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Gladiator
PartialScorn — 10 years ago(May 27, 2015 10:13 AM)
I watched Gladiator again on Netflix last night, and was troubled when Tigris is introduced as Rome's only undefeated Gladiator in history. Was Proximo freed having survived defeat via a thumbs up? What about "The Spaniard" (as they knew him at the time)? Wasn't he undefeated up until that point both inside and outside Rome? Did they instead mean the only person of Roman descent who had been undefeated?
I know the line sets up the drama, but it really stuck out during the re-watch. What are your thoughts? -
Drunken_Bastard — 10 years ago(June 07, 2015 01:12 AM)
I'm not sure what to say, technically shy gladiator that of fighting and not dead is undefeated. Maybe it was just for Maximus to look more badass. Would've been silly for him to fight a 60 year old guy.
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SpiltPersonality — 10 years ago(August 12, 2015 07:59 PM)
Ok, we know Proximo was given his freedom, but he could have been defeated but not killed (thumbs up etc).
We know that until that point Maximus (at the very least, but the Numidian as well so far as we know) were undefeated, but I would think being still 'active' makes them not undefeated/not defeated/yet to be seen type.
The Gaul, was (it seems) never defeated, and retired from the games, so a little 'special'.
It's similar (I think) to the fact that Mohammed Ali was a retired undefeated heavy-weight (until he stupidly came out of retirement) and would have had (at that time) a lot more respect as such than a current reigning, heavy-weight.
Just my opinion. -
SpiltPersonality — 9 years ago(December 28, 2016 12:09 PM)
Ok, I stand corrected, but it does actually illustrate my point the Gaul could easily have been defeated, but not killed, yet in the days without the internet, easily could have had an 'only undefeated' myth made up about him. Hell, an entire WAR was fought because of the mistaken belief that Marcus Aurileus was dead (real history, not this movie)
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SpiltPersonality — 9 years ago(December 20, 2016 06:12 AM)
I doubt Tigris was the only undefeated gladiator in history, but I'll address your 'in movie' questions:
1 - Proximo quite conceivably could have been defeated. You don't have to be killed to be beaten as a Gladiator. Indeed, many were not.
2 - 'the Spaniard' was undefeated, but not to conclusion. I.e. he could have been defeated before his 'retirement'. That was yet to be seen.
3 - 'propaganda' of the announcement. Truth doesn't matter, must exciting the mob.
SpiltPersonality