[Joaquin Phoenix as 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. What could be more glorious than to challenge the emperor himself in the great arena."

[Russell Crowe as Maximus]
"You would fight me?"

[Commodus]
"Why not? Do you think I am 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 once who said, 'Death smiles at us all. All that man can do is smile back.'"

[Commodus]
"I wonder. Did your friend smile at his own death?"

[Maximus]
"You must know. He was your father."