As a lifelong history enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over ancient texts and scrolls, I must say that “Gladiator II” is a cinematic triumph that expertly weaves historical fiction with gripping storytelling. While it’s not a documentary, it certainly doesn’t shy away from the truth.
Gladiator II – A Fictional Tale Set in History
Long-term enthusiasts have traversed this path previously when ‘Gladiator’ premiered in 2000. Since then, historians have had nearly 25 years to scrutinize that film and uncover its historical inaccuracies and discrepancies. These flaws are magnified in ‘Gladiator II’, as it serves as a direct sequel, inheriting any issues from the original and adding new material to the mix. This isn’t an issue if viewers recognize and accept these continuity challenges.
Background
The film Gladiator centers around Maximus, a character specifically crafted for this movie and portrayed by Russell Crowe, who was previously a general. He seems to be a blend of the historical figures Marcus Nonius Macrinus and Spartacus. In reality, Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) did not meet his end as portrayed in the film; instead, he passed away from an illness, either smallpox or measles according to historians. It’s also important to note that historians dispute the claim that Aurelius sought to transform Rome back into a republic instead of an empire as shown in the movie. This alteration significantly influences the portrayal of other characters too.
In the movie Gladiator, Commodus’ rule is depicted as brief; however, historically, he reigned over Rome for approximately 12 years. Contrary to the film’s portrayal, Commodus wasn’t killed in the Colosseum but was actually murdered by a wrestler named Narcissus. This alteration significantly modifies the events that took place during the 16 years following the timeline of the two films. Other changes have less influence on the plot or are introduced in later installments of the series.
Colosseum Naval Battles
Surprisingly enough, historians affirm that the portrayal of naval battles in this film is quite authentic. While it’s correct that the Romans constructed an extensive flood system for the Colosseum during its initial construction, you should know that this practice ceased before Commodus’ time. Given that the movie’s timeline is fictional, we can more readily overlook such discrepancies.
Colosseum Animals
As a film connoisseur, I must address a nagging concern: the portrayal of aquatic creatures in the gladiatorial combat scenes leaves me perplexed. While it’s understandable that filmmakers aim to create an immersive experience, the presence of sharks in the colosseum battles is questionable. Historically, it’s been established that sharks were not a part of naumachia, and this inconsistency can be jarring for viewers. Pondering how our ancestors could have managed to keep sharks alive, transport them across land, and house them in the Colosseum strains one’s imagination.
From my perspective, the portrayal of baboons, rhinoceroses, and various other creatures within the grandeur of the Colosseum appears remarkably authentic. It was a common spectacle during those times to witness gladiators battling animals from every corner of the sprawling Roman Empire, all for the amusement of the throngs of people gathered there.
Lucius Verus
In essence, the true account of Lucius Verus can be challenging to follow and contrast with the film “Gladiator II” due to two individuals sharing the same name. The Lucius Verus portrayed by Paul Mescal in this movie is actually the son of Commodus’ sister Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen) and a man named Lucius Verus, who was virtually like an adoptive brother to Marcus Aurelius and ruled alongside him as co-emperor. The younger Lucius Verus had a son with Lucilla who also bore the same name. However, it’s important to note that this second Lucius Verus passed away at a young age, making the narrative presented in “Gladiator II” fictional.
In the movie, the meeting between Lucius and Lucilla is a significant addition. However, it’s important to note that the historical Lucilla was actually beheaded by Commodus during his second year of rule, which occurred in the year 182 AD.
Siege of Numidia
One glaring issue with this story is Roman attack on Numidia, where Lucius is captured and enslaved. By the time of this movie, Numidia had already been a Roman province for over two centuries, so it’s hard to imagine why Rome would be attacking and raiding this way. Critics are speculating that the biggest reason for this contrivance is to showcase the nautical power of Rome, which will become more important later in the film.
Timeline
To summarize, let’s take a look at how accurately the film portrays Roman emperors from this era compared to actual history. In reality, Marcus Aurelius governed from 161 AD until 180 AD, accepting his son Commodus as joint emperor for the last three years before his death in 192 AD. Afterward, a power vacuum occurred in 193 AD, earning it the nickname “Year of the Five Emperors.” Following this, Roman general Septimius Severus seized control and ruled until his demise during a campaign in England in 211 AD. His sons, Geta and Caracalla, then became co-emperors, but Caracalla murdered Geta shortly after the funeral to become the sole ruler.
In contrast, Gladiator starts off in 180 AD following the demise of Marcus Aurelius and the rise of Commodus, who attempts to execute Maximus. However, instead of meeting his end, Maximus is turned into a slave and auctioned off to a gladiator master. Later on, he makes his way back to Rome for an elaborate competition held in memory of Marcus Aurelius’ death. The film doesn’t explicitly show how much time elapses, but it appears to be more than just a few years. Eventually, Commodus is compelled to confront Maximus within the Colosseum, resulting in his demise.
[RELATED: Gladiator 2: Everything to Remember About the Original Film Before the Sequel]
Gladiator II
In essence, the sequel to Gladiator, titled Gladiator II, matches its predecessor in utilizing actual history as a base for a captivating contemporary narrative. While it showcases remarkable accuracy in certain aspects and intentionally heightens others, some significant discrepancies, according to historians, are present. Provided the audience understands that the film isn’t entirely factual, it offers an enjoyable spectacle. Currently showing in cinemas, the original Gladiator can be streamed on Paramount+.
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2024-11-21 03:40