Gladiator 2 - Fiction Vs. Reality

Gladiator 2 - How Accurate Is It? — MGM/Universal Pictures

Gladiator II premiered in Australia on October 30, 2024. The United Kingdom had to wait a little longer, as the first screening happened on November 15, 2024. As far as the United States is concerned, they won't be able to see the new movie in their theaters until November 22, 2024. In any case, the film has already gathered a huge fan base and approximately $87 million.

Although Gladiator II has been a success so far, people can't help but wonder how historically accurate the movie is. In this article, we'll examine the historical context of certain scenes in the movie. Let's get started!

Disclaimer: Gladiator II is fictional and any historical references are creative liberties.

Gladiator II Did The Romans Have Newspapers
Gladiator II Did The Romans Put Sharks In The Colosseum
Gladiator II Did Caracalla Appoint A Monkey As Consul
Gladiator II Summary

Gladiator II Did The Romans Have Newspapers

Gladiator 2 - Fiction Vs. Reality — MGM/Universal Pictures

Although the movie has successfully implemented some real elements of the Roman empire, such as wax tablets, there are others, such as drinking tea, that are quite different from the actual Roman practices. In one of the scenes in Gladiator 2, we see Macrinus drinking his tea and going through the newspaper. However, many fans are aware that the printing press wasn't invented until 1440 CE, which means that the mass distribution of materials like these was highly unlikely at the time that the narrative takes place.

Well, it turns out that the Romans had their own version of a daily newspaper called Acta Diurna. According to Daily Life in Ancient Rome by Jerome Carcopino, information was carved on stone or metal, and you definitely wouldn't be able to carry the tablets around in your bag because they were usually displayed in public places so everyone could read them. Moreover, the Romans were never famous for their tea or coffee. They had the so-called calda, which is water mixed with wine and some spices.

They did have something similar to a fast-food restaurant, though. The thermopolium was a giant counter that would sell all kinds of hot meals, such as fish and stew. The movie is also correct in terms of the use of wax tablets like the one Lucilla finds. They were made out of wood and covered in wax to allow repeated writing.

Gladiator II Did The Romans Put Sharks In The Colosseum

The scene with the sharks in Gladiator 2 is fictional, as the Romans never used sharks in the Colosseum. It's also likely that they had never even seen one of these creatures in real life. Although a few Roman writers mention sharks here and there, they were only depicted as art, and these animals are only a creative interpretation in the movie. However, the fact that the producers and the editing team managed to show us the criminals and prisoners forced to battle on ships in the water at the Colosseum is quite impressive, especially considering that we've never seen such a scene on screen before.

There were also a few creatures fighting against Lucius at some point, but keep in mind that even though gladiators never rode on the backs of rhinos, these animals were brought to Rome and displayed occasionally for the public to enjoy. Apart from rhinos, other animals were pitted as well, such as elephants, bulls, and bears.

Gladiator II Did Caracalla Appoint A Monkey As Consul

You've probably guessed already, but Emperor Caracalla didn't have a monkey in real life. The truth is that there are records of Emperor Caligula being fond of his horse and trying to make him a consul, but there was never a monkey. Many fans believe that this is the historical event that Ridley Scott was referencing with the scene. However, be aware that Roman historians were famous for their tendency to gossip and spread false information about their rivals.

Caracalla wasn't known for his obsession with monkeys but rather for his cruelty. His favorite activities included raising the annual salary of the army and increasing the social status of the soldiers, which made him very much hated by the rest of the population because he clearly had favorites. In any case, the real story doesn't have anything to do with monkeys.

Gladiator II Summary

The plot of Gladiator II takes place 20 years after the events of the first movie, and it's about a barbarian called Lucius. He lives with his family, and everything seems to be in order until Numidia gets invaded by the Roman army led by Marcus Acacius. Lucius' family is killed, and he is taken prisoner in Rome. However, he has huge potential as a warrior, so he swears to do everything in his power to avenge the death of his child and wife. Sounds similar, right?

Many fans have already stated that the narrative creates the feeling of deja vu, but Scott has prepared some amazing plot twists for those who are willing to give it a chance. Have fun and stay tuned; the best is yet to come! For more information about the latest entertainment news, you can check out the following articles: