it was about, how he knew what the late empouror wanted , and how he died, so he was a threat to the new empouror, because the other guy-the gladoator dude, was named emporour, this posed a threat so his family were crucified, because he was classed as a rebel. he was caught by slaves and forced to fight as a gladiator. his skill from him being a roman soldier got him through. the empereour then opend the games again and this back fired on him as the gladiatior-dude was exceptional, and fought of all that could be thrown at him, untill only the emporor was left he called who he was. the emporor wasn't takinany chances, and struck with his sword while the other was chainned. but the main bit is at the end, where the person says, who will help me carry his body, that is the moral bit of it.
I liked Gladiator and I surely didn't get a rash from watching it. Although, I don't think it should have got an Academy award. Is the story a rip-off of other stories like Spartacus or Braveheart? Well, all movies deal with related subjects, its a fact of life, stories are similar. I liked both those movies and to compare them to Gladiator isn't really fair. How about we watch the movie and enjoy it for what it's worth? Gladiator was good, not the best, but good. To make a sequel would be retarded. I think they should leave well enough alone.