Caesar: Remember the last time that you were home?
Maximus: Two years 264 days of this morning.
Caesar: Oh I envy you, Maximus. It's a good home, worth fighting for. there is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home.
Maximus: What would you have me do? Caesar.
Caesar: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you to one end alone, to give power to the people of Rome, and end the corruption that had crippled it.