How much of Gladiator II was actually true and happened in real life
Topics: Film and TV
Gregory Robinson
Featured Image Credit: Paramount
Topics: Film and TV
Gladiator II, the sequel starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, has rolled out in cinemas across the US and around the world, and critics have praised Ridley Scott's return to swords and sandals.
However, a historian gave a damning review of the new blockbuster film, which serves as a follow-up to the 2000 film Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
Dr. Shadi Bartsch, a classics professor at the University of Chicago, labeled the Oscar-winning director's take on Roman life 'total Hollywood bull***t'.
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One scene that caused outrage depicts a Roman drinking a cup of tea at a cafe while reading a newspaper. However the first documented news sheet that circulated was published as early as 1566 in Venice, Italy, some 1,355 years after when Gladiator II is set, in 211 AD.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Bartsch said: "They did have daily news — Acta Diuma — but it was carved and placed at certain locations.
"You had to go to it, you couldn’t hold it at a cafe. Also, they didn’t have cafes!"
This begs the question, how much of Gladiator II is true?
Be warned, there are some major spoilers for Gladiator II ahead:
Emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) are based on real Roman Emperors. They ruled Rome during the early 3rd century.
While they were brothers, as depicted in the movie, they were not twins.
Caracalla was older, and he eventually killed Geta, as he does in the film, because they grew increasingly untrusting of each other. Caracalla was ultimately assassinated, which was likely orchestrated by Macrinus (Denzel Washington in the film).
Lucilla and Lucius really were mother and son in ancient Rome, however the real Lucius died at a very young age.
This means the entirety of his story in Gladiator (in which he was played by Spencer Treat Clark) and Gladiator II (Mescal) is fictional.
Also, Lucilla died before Commodus (Phoenix) in real life. The Emperor’s men found and killed her after a failed assassination attempt.
Macrinus also existed, and he became emperor after killing Caracalla. In Roman history he reigned for just over a year, and became known as the first Emperor who never visited Rome.
In Gladiator II, Macrinus is emperor for a few moments before he’s killed by Lucius.
This plot is based on history, but has been changed. Roman Emperor Caligula had a horse, Incitatus, that he wished to grant the power of a consul.
Consuls were the next-in-command position after the Emperor.
However some sources say this actually did not occur, claiming the account is based on rumours and legends.
Still, the story inspired the Gladiator II moment when Emperor Caracalla imbues his pet monkey, Dondas, with the power of a consul.
Although there are conflicting reports, some historical sources suggest the Colosseum was filled with water for naval battles, known as naumachia as seen in the film.
In an interview with Time Out, gladiator expert Alexander Mariotti, said baboons and rhinos were likely used, however gladiators did not ride the latter.
And there were no sharks in the Colosseum either.
The battle that sees Lucius’ home in Numidia being attacked by the Roman Army did happen, but it took place earlier than depicted in the film.
It actually happened during the Jugurthine War, between 112 BC and 106 BC, which dates it almost three centuries before Gladiator II.
The former gladiator who became a doctor was created for the film, however his role as a carer for gladiators is accurate in Roman history.
The doctors served to treat the injuries of the fighters and prepare them for future battles.
OK, the comedian and actor obviously was not around in ancient Rome however his cameos beg the question of whether the Master of Ceremonies was a real position.
There are records of this role being a real one used to usher guests, but it is unclear to what extent this role was used.
Marcus is played by Pedro Pascal and his dream of Rome forms a major part of the sequel. It describes the idea that Rome will return to a democratic republic, instead of being ruled by Emperors.
It is mostly fictional. Therefore, most of Gladiator II’s entire story is a work of fiction. Because Lucius died very young, his arc in the sequel has been written to entertain audiences.