Ancient Civilizations on the Big Screen

The Ten Commandments, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, is a classic epic film that tells the story of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.

Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe, is the protagonist of Gladiator, a Roman general who is betrayed and sold into slavery.

Barabbas, starring Anthony Quinn, tells the story of a Jewish bandit who is released from prison instead of Jesus Christ.

Judah Ben-Hur, played by Charlton Heston, is the protagonist of Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed by his childhood friend Messala.

Lawrence of Arabia, starring Peter O'Toole, is an epic historical drama that follows the life of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt.

Christian Bale portrays Moses in Exodus: Gods and Kings, a film that retells the biblical story of the Exodus.

Alexander, starring Colin Farrell, is a biographical film that follows the life and conquests of Alexander the Great.

Nero, played by Peter Ustinov, is the Roman emperor in Quo Vadis, a film that depicts the persecution of Christians in ancient Rome.

Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, is a historical drama that follows the life and rebellion of Spartacus, a gladiator who fought against the Roman Republic.

Perseus, played by Harry Hamlin, is the protagonist of Clash of the Titans, a fantasy film based on Greek mythology.

Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, is a historical epic that follows the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed and sold into slavery.

Milo, played by Kit Harington, is a slave who falls in love with Cassia, a wealthy Roman woman, during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii.

Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor, is a historical epic that tells the story of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, and her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler, is the Spartan king who leads his army against the Persian invasion at the Battle of Thermopylae in 300.

Apocalypto, starring Rudy Youngblood, is a historical drama that follows the journey of a Mayan man named Jaguar Paw during the collapse of the Mayan civilization.