Gladiator (2000)

Derek Jacobi: Gracchus

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Quotes 

• Gracchus : Fear and wonder, a powerful combination.

  Falco : You really think people are going to be seduced by that?

  Gracchus : I think he knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the coliseum. He'll bring them death - and they will love him for it.

• Commodus : I think I understand my own people.

  Gracchus : Then perhaps Caesar will be so good as to teach us, out of his own extensive experience?

  Commodus : I call it love, Gracchus. The people are my children, I am their father. I shall hold them to my bosom and embrace them tightly...

  Gracchus : Have you ever embraced someone dying of plague, sire?

  Commodus : No, but if you interrupt me again, I assure you that you will.

• Gracchus : And after your glorious coup, what then? You take your five thousand and... leave?

  Maximus : Yes, I will leave. The soldiers will stay here for your protection, under the guidance of the Senate.

  Gracchus : So, after Rome's all yours, you just give it back to the people. Tell me why.

  Maximus : Because that was a dying man's last wish. I will kill Commodus. The fate of Rome, I leave to you.

  Gracchus : Marcus Aurelius trusted you. His daughter trusts you. I will trust you. Give me two days, and I will purchase your freedom. And you, stay alive, or I'll be dead.

• Gracchus : I don't pretend to be a man of the people. But I do try to be a man for the people.

• Lucilla : Is Rome worth one good man's life? We believed it once. Make us believe it again. He was a soldier of Rome. Honor him.

  Gracchus : Who will help me carry him?

  [Gladiators surround Maximus to carry him out of the arena] 

• Gracchus : 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 : He enters Rome like a conquering hero. But what has he conquered?

  Falco : Give him time, Gracchus. He's young, he may do very well.

  Gracchus : For Rome? Or for you?

• Gracchus : But the Senate IS the people, sire. Chosen from AMONG the people. To speak FOR the people.

  Commodus : I doubt if any of the people eat so well as you, Gracchus. Or have such splendid mistresses, Gaius.