Gladiator 2’s Naval Combat in the Colosseum, Explained

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Gladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, Explained

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  • Mock Naval Battles Were Real
  • There May Have Been A Removable Wooden Floor In The Colosseum Over The Water
  • Ridley Scott Wanted to Go Bigger Than Ever with Gladiator II

As a historian and archaeologist who has spent countless hours delving into the rich history of the Roman Empire, I must say that the Colosseum remains one of the most fascinating architectural marvels of antiquity. The ingenuity of the ancient engineers who designed this grand amphitheater continues to astound us, even in modern times.

Titled “Gladiator 2“, Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 film “Gladiator”, features Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Paul Mescal. In this sequel, Paul Mescal portrays Lucius Verus, a descendant of Marcus Aurelius and the heir to the Roman Empire. Lucius is captured in Numidia (North Africa) and is enslaved by Roman general Marcus Acadius (Pascal). As a result, he is compelled to battle as a gladiator within the Colosseum.

Under the tutelage of Macrinus from Washington, Lucius’s performances within the Colosseum underscored the brutal intensity of gladiatorial fights – just one of many events held in this grand structure. The film additionally portrays instances illustrating other functions of the Colosseum, most notably naval battles.

It remains uncertain if the sequel to Gladiator, will match the success of its original, yet the trailer offers tantalizing hints about what viewers might encounter.

Mock Naval Battles Were Real

Gladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, Explained

The official website for the Roman Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, explains that mock naval battles, referred to as naumachiae, were special events held on specific occasions. These earliest naumachiae didn’t take place within a grand structure like the Colosseum, but rather occurred on lakes, rivers, or low-lying ground that had been flooded.

In the year 46 BCE, it’s said that Julius Caesar organized a grand, symbolic sea battle as a celebration for his triumphant return to Rome. This event sparked great enthusiasm, an account of which is provided by the Roman historian, Suetonius.

In a lesser region called Codeta, a pool was excavated for a grand naval battle. Ships equipped with two, three, or four rows of oars, representing both the Tyrian and Egyptian fleets, took part in this contest. A vast multitude, hailing from all corners, gathered to witness these spectacles. Due to the immense crowd, many outsiders had to set up their tents in streets or along the roads. The crush was so severe at times that it led to the tragic deaths of two high-ranking officials. (First person: I witnessed a grand naval battle in Codeta where ships from Tyrian and Egyptian fleets competed. A large crowd flocked from every direction, causing many strangers to camp in streets and along roads. The pressure was so intense that it resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two senators.)

In the first century AD, emperors such as Augustus, Nero, and Titus organized naval battles known as naumachiae. Some of these spectacles took place in amphitheaters constructed for the occasion. Interestingly, Titus is said to have held two such events in 80 AD to celebrate the opening of the Colosseum. One of these was actually staged within the Colosseum itself.

During the inauguration of his amphitheater and adjacent baths, he organized an extravagant and expensive gladiatorial event. He also staged a fake sea battle at the old naumachia, as well as a gladiator combat, showcasing over five thousand various wild animals in a single day.

There May Have Been A Removable Wooden Floor In The Colosseum Over The Water

Gladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, Explained

To stage mock naval battles, known as “naumachiae,” inside the Colosseum, Romans needed to flood the building and bring ships in. They utilized their aqueduct systems to transport water from various sources into the structure. However, details about which specific aqueducts were employed for each “naumachia” are uncertain. During Augustus’ “naumachia” in 2 CE on the Tiber River, he used excess water from nearby gardens instead.

It remains uncertain just how much water might have been required for staging naumachiae within amphitheaters such as the Colosseum during Emperor Domitian’s reign around 85 CE. With the Colosseum’s arena measuring approximately 280 feet by 180 feet, if the water depth reached five feet, then filling and draining this area would have consumed a considerable amount of time given logistical constraints. Since the Colosseum served multiple purposes beyond hosting mock naval battles, efficient water management was essential to keep restless crowds entertained.

It’s believed that a removable wooden floor, which concealed water, was employed in the Colosseum when needed. Interestingly, an amphitheater constructed during the first century CE in Merida, Spain, exhibits a basin beneath its floor, suggesting that water was supplied and drained using aqueducts and channels. Despite the Merida amphitheater being smaller than the Colosseum, it’s plausible that comparable methods were utilized in Rome as well.

Ridley Scott Wanted to Go Bigger Than Ever with Gladiator II

Gladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, ExplainedGladiator 2's Naval Combat in the Colosseum, Explained

As a history enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the scale of naval battles during ancient Rome, such as the grand spectacle known as a naumachia. Unlike a solitary gladiatorial combat, the results of these watery arenas decided the fate of countless men – prisoners of war, crammed into triremes and quadriremes. For instance, Titus himself utilized no less than 3,000 men in one such event, while Emperor Claudius, during his naumachia near the Tiber River, is said to have mobilized an astounding 19,000 souls.

One of the elements that Ridley Scott expended a substantial amount of the budget for “Gladiator II” on was the grandeur of the naumachia. In an interview with Empire in July 2024, Scott stated that computers and artificial intelligence enabled him to create more spectacular battle scenes than ever before in this film. The first trailer for “Gladiator II” introduces a rhino amidst the scene of a naumachia.

“I can create a replica of a rhino’s body using a computer to analyze every molecule and detail, then mold it onto a large piece of plastic. This replica closely imitates the original rhino shape and is designed around a skeleton structure… I have a device that can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour, rotate in place, move its head, and snarl. Imagine a two-ton rhino with a rider on its back! It’s quite an exciting concept.”

Scott’s exaggerated portrayal of a mock sea battle appears less extraordinary when considering Claudius’s naval spectacle, or naumachia. Similar to his predecessors, Claudius utilized triremes and quadriremes, but Tacitus provides additional details about the actual combat in the battle.

In this criminal conflict, the participants fought with the bravery and determination typically shown by free people. After a great deal of violence, they were spared from annihilation.

Furthermore, rafts were deployed to prevent combatants from escaping, and spectators from the surrounding area came to watch the scene unfold, either from hilltops overlooking the lake or on ships. Clad in a majestic military cloak, Claudius stood, while Agrippina adorned herself in a splendid golden Greek robe.

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2024-08-05 23:01