The places include Germania, which is the border where the pagan tribes encountered defeat at the hands of the Roman legions. This is the first scene whereafter the aging Emperor decides it is time to consolidate the Pax romana (Roman peace).
Maximus is a general that comes from Hispania, which is a region controlled by the Romans that includes the Iberia penninsula.
This was one of the limits of the Empire westwards, and the origin of the Spaniard means that the territories were under Roman control.
The other territories that are featured are the deserts which belonged to Zucchabar , currently in Africa. They are the territories where the Roman Empire expanded and are featured as one of the scenarios for a Gladiators exhibition.
A ever present feature , a fourth characteristic is the wide use of classical Greek art mainly portrayed as sculptures during the entire movie.
The Nullification crisis was a debate in 1832, over the south declaring tariffs from the north, unconstitutional. Both sides had a different viewpoint on state's rights towards the debate, causing the debate in the first place.
