In the 2000 movie Gladiator, emperor Marcus Aurelius is murdered early in the plot by his ambitious son Commodus. Maximus, despite not having witnessed the murder, subsequently refuses to declare allegiance to Commodus.
How did Maximus know (or why did he suspect) that the emperor had been murdered? 
Haven’t seen it in years so the details are fuzzy but hadn’t Aurelius told Maximus that he wanted him to be his heir or something because Commodus was unworthy? So when Commodus kills his father and lies about how Aurelius wanted him to be emperor Maximus knew he was lying.
I think you’re right. I just remember Maximus examining Aurelius’ body and then suddenly walking away in disgust as if he had spotted signs of foul play. I guess he knew things were awry when Commodus lied to him (as you said) and then when he went to see Aurelius’ body he wasn’t particularly examining it - he was just psyching himself up to do the right thing.
Thanks for the eye-opener.
And of course, anyone who wasn’t a complete fool knew Commoduc was bad news. The man was practical dripping evil off his hair, and it was apparent to me that more or less all the Senators and his sister knew he was probably responsible.
I don’t remember it very clearly, but I just assumed it would be obvious to Maximus. One minute Marcus Aurelius is telling him he must be his heir as Commodus would be a disaster, the next he is dead.
I was vexed – very vexed – until I read the explanations here.
It’s CSI:Germania. Maximus stood before the body and said to himself ‘of each thing ask what is it in it’s essence.’