Gaius Tiberius Gracchus
Senator Gracchus was a Roman Senator who lived in the times of Marcus Aurelius and his son, Commodus.
He was portrayed by Derek Jacobi in the 2000 film Gladiator, who will reprise his role in its sequel Gladiator II.
Senator[]
Gracchus was a senator of the Roman Empire around 180 AD. He first was a senator under Marcus Aurelius. When Marcus was assassinated by his son, Commodus, Gracchus distrusted Commodus, though grudgingly admired his understanding of the mob mentality. He told Commodus of the troubles breaking out in Rome, including the plague in Greek Quarter. Commodus seemed not to care much. His distrust of Commodus led him to defect to the side of Maximus Decimus Meridius, an opponent of the evil Commodus who massacred his family.
Defection and Capture[]
Lucilla told Maximus of Gracchus' treachery, under threat of her son's death. While he was at his estate, he was arrested by the Praetorian Guard. However, when Maximus was dying of wounds given to him before his final battle with Commodus in the arena, he ordered that prisoner Gladiators would be freed and Gracchus reinstated as senator. Gracchus helped carry Maximus' body away along with several other strong men and empress Lucilla.
Trivia[]
- Gracchus and his fellow senator Gaius are a play on Gaius Gracchus, people from Roman history. The two Gracchi, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, were populist politicians favouring land reform in the early late Republic.