Gladiator: Who Is The Real Father Of Lucius Verus?

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In a new chapter following Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic “Gladiator,” titled “Gladiator 2,” we find ourselves once more in the Roman Colosseum, immersed in another tale of vengeance. This time, it’s Paul Mescal’s character Hanno who confronts a disenchanted Roman General Acacius, portrayed by Pedro Pascal. Similar to the original, the struggle for the Roman throne is central to the narrative. The twist? Hanno’s true identity as Lucius Verus Aurelius, grandson of the assassinated emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), unfolds as a crucial plot point.

The story unfolds about two decades following the events of the initial movie where Marcus Aurelius, once emperor, found Maximus a suitable successor over his unstable son Commodus who was deemed unworthy for the Roman throne. This sequel commences with Hanno, a North African general, defending Numidia against Acacius’s army invasion. The tragic outcome of this battle results in Hanno’s wife Arishat being killed and Hanno himself being captured, along with his countrymen, and forced into gladiatorial combat. Eventually, Hanno discovers in Rome that his mother Lucilla is the wife of Acacius – a revelation which we learn was orchestrated to save Lucilla from the Roman army. Upon recognizing her son, she reveals that his father was Maximus, confirming the theory hinted at in the “Gladiator II” trailer regarding Lucius’s identity, a fact later corroborated by Acacius within the gladiatorial arena.

The real Lucius Verus’ story was wildly different

Just like “Gladiator” had numerous historical discrepancies that enhanced the movie, “Gladiator II” fundamentally reshapes the history of the story to create a more engaging film. In the era of Imperial Rome, it was customary for emperors to choose an heir who would succeed them upon their death or retirement. However, contrary to the portrayal in the movie, the genuine Lucius Verus wasn’t Marcus Aurelius’s grandson but his adopted brother. The two ruled together for several years until Verus passed away following a campaign against Germanic tribes.

In reality, Lucilla wasn’t the mother of Lucius Verus, instead she was his wife and adopted niece. Avidia Plautia was actually Lucius’ mother by birth. Through an arranged marriage, Lucilla became Lucius’ wife and later gave birth to three children. However, it was not Lucilla who raised concerns about Lucius’ successor Commodus; that responsibility fell upon a group of senators due to his erratic behavior. Tragically, both Lucilla and her daughter, who was also married to Commodus, were imprisoned and executed in 182 AD.

The historical brothers, Geta and Caracalla, while they weren’t twins, ruled together for a short period around 211 AD. Their relationship ended violently when Caracalla murdered his brother. The character of General Acacius portrayed by Pedro Pascal in the series was entirely fictional, but he played the role exceptionally well in the intense battle scenes with Paul Mescal’s Lucius.

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2025-06-28 22:29