Check out the best Gladiator quotes and lines that capture honor, strength, revenge, leadership, and the unbreakable spirit of a warrior.
Gladiator is an epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson.
Released in 2000, the film stars Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a loyal Roman general betrayed by the corrupt Emperor Commodus, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.
After the murder of his family and the loss of his rank, Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator.
Rising through the brutal arenas of Rome, he becomes a symbol of resistance and hope for the people — fighting not just for survival, but for justice and the memory of a fallen empire built on honor.
Set in Ancient Rome, Gladiator masterfully blends epic action, intense drama, and historical fiction with timeless themes of loyalty, vengeance, sacrifice, courage, and moral conviction.
With breathtaking battle sequences, profound emotional depth, and unforgettable dialogue — including the legendary line, ‘What we do in life echoes in eternity’ — the film stands as one of the most celebrated masterpieces of the modern era.
The movie was a massive success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe.
More than just a Roman war drama, Gladiator is a powerful story about standing firm in your values—even when the world turns against you.
Here are the most famous Gladiator quotes that continue to inspire strength, honor, and resilience decades after its release.
Top 10 Gladiator Quotes
- “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” — Maximus
- “I think you’ve been afraid all your life.” — Maximus
- “Imagine where you will be, and it will be so.” — Maximus
- “Win the crowd, and you will win your freedom.” — Proximo
- “I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” — Maximus
- “We are nothing but dust and shadows. Dust and shadows!” — Proximo
- “I would butcher the whole world if you would only love me!” — Commodus
- “Death smiles on us all. All a man can do is smile back.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “Nothing happens to anyone that he is not fitted by nature to bear.” — Maximus
- “Whatever comes out of these gates, we’ve got a better chance of survival if we work together.” — Maximus
Best Gladiator Quotes
- “My name is Gladiator.” — Maximus
- “There was once a dream that was Rome.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “I am a slave! What possible difference can I make?” — Maximus
- “All I’ve ever wanted was to live up to you, Caesar. Father.” — Commodus
- “Commodus. Your faults as a son are my failure as a father.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “We mortals are but shadows and dust. Shadows and dust, Maximus.” — Proximo
- “Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the emperor of Rome.” — Lucilla
- “He enters Rome like a conquering hero. But what has he conquered?” — Gracchus
- “Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?” — Maximus
- “When a man sees his end, he wants to know there was some purpose to his life.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “You have proven your valor once again, Maximus. Let us hope for the last time.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “I’ve seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark, Rome is the light.” — Maximus
- “If they lie to me, they don’t respect me. If they don’t respect me, how can they ever love me?” — Commodus
- “The General who became a slave. The slave who became a Gladiator. The Gladiator who defied an emperor.” — Commodus
- “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” — Maximus
Gladiator Movie Quotes
- “Gladiators… I salute you.” — Proximo
- “At my signal, unleash hell.” — Maximus
- “He sleeps so well because he’s loved.” — Commodus
- “Why don’t they know they’re already dead?” — Maximus
- “I will give the people the greatest vision of their lives.” — Commodus
- “Ancestors, I honor you and will try to live with the dignity that you have taught me.” — Maximus
- “You loved my father, I know. But so did I. That makes us brothers, doesn’t it? Smile for me now, brother.” — Commodus
- “How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name.” — Commodus
- “Ultimately, we are all dead men. Sadly we cannot choose how but we can decide how we meet that end in order that we are remembered as men.” — Proximo
- “The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, it’s the sand of the Colosseum. He’ll bring them death — and they will love him for it.” — Gracchus
Famous Quotes From The Gladiator
- “Hail Caesar.” — Lucilla
- “Am I not merciful?” — Commodus
- “Have I missed the battle?” — Commodus
- “Would you, Quintus? Would I?” — Maximus
- “I will see you again. But not yet. Not yet.” — Juba
- “Take my hand. I only offer it once.” — Commodus
- “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius.” — Maximus
- “Maximus, that is why it must be you.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “The frost, it sometimes makes the blade stick.” — Maximus
- “You’re the son that I should have had.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “For you are in Elysium and you’re already dead.” — Maximus
- “You have a great name. He must kill your name before he kills you.” — Juba
- “I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die.” — Marcus Aurelius
- “Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to.” — Cicero
- “Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was Rome. This is not it. This is not it!” — Maximus
Conclusion
What are your favorite Gladiator quotes and Gladiator sayings listed above? If there is a quote that we’ve missed, then let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are.
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