One thing that I've always being intrigued about Gladiator is Maximus and Lucilla's past relationship.
Obviously they were involved romantically. So, how do you think they met and fell in love? Why did they broke up? Would like to hear your theories.
The movie is mostly fiction, with a shred of truth to it.
shareYes, I know is mostly fiction. My question is precisely about Maximus and Lucilla's relationship before the events in the movie. What's your theory?
shareLucilla was probably pressed into a political marriage by her father so she couldn’t follow her own heart and had to disappoint Maximus.
shareif she consciously chose verus instead of Maximus just because Verus is of higher rank or she love Verus, it means she doesn't love Maximus.Except for family pressure, all options deny the love story between the two.
shareMy guess is she was a dutiful daughter who agreed to the marriage her father had arranged for her in order to secure himself some political advantage.
shareHere is my theory:
They loved each other around 8 or 9 years ago (remember at the camp when Lucilla talked to Maximus, they both mentioned the kids were around 8 years old?). They almost hit it into a marriage, but Lucilla selected another guy called Verus (actually this guy was Marcus Aurelius co-emperor in the real history) to marry.
This hurt Maximus a lot. That's why in the cell (or on another occasion, can't remember accurately), Lucilla mentioned she hurt Maximus a lot more than he did to her. That's also why Maximus said Lucilla had a insinct for survival (choosing her life based on cool calculation, without emotion involved).
Then they go different paths. Lucilla married Verus, who died early shortly after Lucilla gave birth to Lucius. And Maximus married another dark-haired Spanish girl and also had a son.
My theory is also like you.
But I have thought of few more details. I think Lucius is Maximus's child. His admiration for Maximus also supports that.
I think Lucilla after knowing she was impregnated agreed to her marriage with Verus which was already being talked off. However, things happened much quick and Lucilla did not let Maximus the whole story, leaving him in awe.
Infact, their behaviors suggest they are quite close even after so many years. Again you will notice there is no hatred from Lucilla's side. Maximus inspite of being cold towards her at the beginning did not take much time to become normal.
Was she forced to marry Verus or was it her choice? Maximus is talking about Lucilla's lie. Did Lucilla hide that she was engaged or did she trick Maximus . If Lucilla chose Verus consciously, it means she doesn't love Maximus.
I dislike that sentimental romantic subplot. The real Lucilla was a manipulative bitch who tried to have her own brother assassinated and was not sympathetic whatsoever. This would also have made for a much more interesting character and would've made the movie much less of a melodramatic drag.
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