At number seven on our chart we look at Roman hero in Maximus Decimus Meridius and a literary character brought to the screen, most famously, in 1939's The Wizard of Oz - The Wicked Witch of the West.

Hero: Maximus Decimus Meridius

Maximus Decimus Meridius was famously played by Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's 2000 picture Gladiator.As a general in the army of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, he is a favourite of Aurelius, who is dying.As Aurelius' trusted servant of Rome the dying emperor, despite having a son and heir, wishes Maximus to take temporary leadership upon his death. Whilst thinking it over Aurelius is smothered to death by his son Commodus, who then declares himself emperor.When Maximus refuses to swear his loyalty to Commodus he is sentenced to execution and Pratorian Guards are sent to his home village where they burn and crucify his wife and young son.Maximus is bought by Proximo, head of a local gladiator school, after he was taken to Zucchabar in North Africa.

He refuses to fight, but does defend himself when facing an opponent, and becomes popular with the audience.

Commodus reopens the gladiatorial games in Rome and Proximo's gladiators are hired to take part. Maximus leads them to an unexpected victory against a more powerful opponent, much to the delight of the crowd.

Commodus, after recognising his enemy Maximus, is unable to kill him because of his popularity so pits him against Tigris, the only undefeated gladiator in Rome, but Maximus wins.

Because of his loss Commodus votes to have Tigris killed but Maximus defy's him and spares Tigris and his reputation as Maximus the Merciful soars as Commodus' popularity plummets.

Away from the ring Maximums discovers that his army remains loyal to him and will fight alongside him to overthrown Com modus.

But there plan is thwarted and the army is beaten so Maximus faces Commodus in the Colosseum. But Commodus, knowing that Maximus' fighting abilities are far superior to his own, wounds him before the fight begins.

Before he dies Maximus kills Commodus and instructs that all the gladiators be set free. His body is carried out of the Colosseum a hero.

Villain: Wicked Witch of the West

The Wicked Witch of the West was a character created by American author L.Frank Baum in the fictional land of Oz.

In the classic 1939 film the Wicked Witch of the West was played by actress Margaret Hamilton and was depicted as green skinned, with a stoup and dressed entirely in black.

The Wicked Witch of the West is the biggest threat to Dorothy Gale after she accidentally kills her sister The Wicked Witch of the East when her house lands on her.

Dorothy also possesses the pair of ruby slippers, which previously belonged to the Wicked Witch of the East, but are now being worn by Dorothy.

The Wicked Witch of the West seeks revenge against Dorothy and tries to thwart her journey to the Emerald City and get her hands on the ruby slippers and avenge her sister's death.

The Wizard of Oz agrees to consider Dorothy, the Lion, the scarecrow and the Tin Man's requests of a heart, a brain, courage, and a trip home to Kansas if they return with the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.

During their attempt to retrieve the broomstick Dorothy accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the West when she throws a bucket of water over her, after she sets the Scarecrow alight, causing her to melt.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw