Gladiator thrusts the audience right into the middle of Maximus’ story; he already has a family, already the commander of the legion. It isn’t on a journey of discovery, he has already found who he is and is already established. We can see this through the opening montage, Maximus walks through the army giving out pats and high fives whilst walking out of the structure everyone else is doing. It shows that he holds power in this army and is respected by a lot. We can also see that he is of a higher authority by the armour he wears which is decorated having the two horses etched into his armour. “Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you’re already dead! “