This scene is when Commodus is feeling the crowd for how they think the fight should end. The camera angle gives power to him because we are looking up at him while he looks down on the gladiators. Their fate is in his hands and the smug look on his face means he knows how much power he has and he loves it. The way the lens focus is not on the hand but on his face makes the audience pay attention to his expressions as he makes his decision, playing up the suspense just for the sake of the crowd. His dark clothing and dark background gives the appearance that Commodus is in a dark shadow, which is fitting because he is about to seal the deal on whether a man is killed or not. Also his dark outfit shows his evil character and you can't really see his body, only his hand and his head, the two important, decision making focuses of the scene.