Was gladiator maximus a legend

Maximus Decimus Meridius, the protagonist of the film "Gladiator," is a fictional character created for storytelling purposes. While he embodies the ideals of a legendary hero—courage, honor, and resilience—there is no historical figure by that name in ancient Rome. The film draws on elements of Roman history and culture but ultimately tells a fictional narrative. Thus, while Maximus is a legendary figure in cinematic terms, he is not a historical legend.