[ Commodus ] Maximus... Maximus... Maximus... They call for you. The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. A striking story. Now the people want to know how the story ends. Only a famous death will do. And what could be more glorious... than to challenge the Emperor himself in the great arena?
[ Maximus ] You would fight me?
[ Commodus ] Why not? Do you think I'm afraid?
[ Maximus ] I think you have been afraid all your life.
[ Commodus ] Unlike Maximus the Invincible, who knows no fear?
[ Maximus ] I knew a man who once said, "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."
[ Commodus ] I wonder... did your friend smile at his own death?