Maximus is to be named successor but he refuses but in his refusal he is then convinced by his morale after Marcus speaks of corruption in the Senate and that he must reform Rome to return to the legitimate state as a republic. Commodus, who is the true son of the current king, tells him that he will not be named successor and is told that it will be Marcus. In short, Commodus goes into his feelings and cries about his father's undying love for Marcus and tries to justify himself as being "just as good" and sneakily kills his father by a very vicious, compelling and suffocating means.