at last we see it. the colosseum is again packed. commodus, lucilla and her son lucius are in the imperial box. maximus is fighting an opponent. maximus defeats his opponent. he stands over him. he does not kill him. vibius defeats an opponent -- he stands over him. he looks around at the crowd. then he tosses down his sword and walks off. the ending of a group fight -- proximo's gladiators triumphant. maximus is fighting a thick giant of a man. a few quick blows and the giant falls -- like a mighty tree he crashes to the sand. a trap door springs open and the elevator platform rises to the sand of the arena. maximus stands above the dead emperor.