As a historian delving into the annals of time, I must say that the portrayal of these historical figures in “Gladiator II” is, to put it mildly, akin to comparing a fine wine with a bottle of vinegar. While the movie does manage to capture some aspects of their lives, it falls short in many ways, much like a Roman charioteer trying to steer a galley ship.
In the film titled “Gladiator II,” director Ridley Scott follows up on his 2000 hit movie “Gladiator” by introducing us to a fresh chapter set in ancient Rome. Familiar characters, new champions, and power-hungry rulers fill the screen, inviting viewers back to this iconic era. Although there are certain historical inconsistencies in “Gladiator II,” several of the characters depicted on screen were real figures from Imperial Rome. For instance, Lucilla (previously played by Connie Neilsen) and Emperors Caracalla and Geta (portrayed by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn) were genuine historical personalities. In addition, the real Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal’s character) and Macrinus (Denzel Washington’s role), although quite different from their portrayals in “Gladiator II,” did indeed exist.
In this write-up, you’ll find the key characters from “Gladiator II” who were part of the vibrant world of ancient Rome, along with intriguing insights into their authentic narratives.
Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla, aka Lucilla
In the sequel to the 2000 film “Gladiator,” actress Connie Nielsen once again portrays Lucilla, a character she played previously. This Lucilla, modeled after Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla, daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, finds herself reunited with her son, Lucius Verus, following the departure he was compelled to make upon Maximus Decimus Meridius’ demise.
In the films Gladiator and Gladiator II, the character portrayed as Lucilla was Maximus’ mother to Lucius. However, historically, the genuine Lucilla was married to Lucius Verus from 164 to 169 CE. Lucius Verus shared rule with her father from 161 CE, but he passed away during his return from fighting on the Danube River. Lucilla had three children with Lucius Verus, but their son named Lucius Verus perished in childhood.
Following her husband’s demise in 169 CE, Lucilla relinquished the title of Augusta. Her father orchestrated her marriage to Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus in the same year, despite a significant age gap of nearly three decades. Upon Marcus Aurelius’ death in 180 CE, his son and Lucilla’s brother, Commodus, ascended the throne as emperor. In 182 CE, Lucilla conspired against her own brother, Commodus. When this plot was exposed, Lucilla was exiled and eventually executed on Commodus’ orders.
Lucius Verus
In actuality, there was a Roman named Lucius Verus, but the character played by Paul Mescal in Gladiator II bears little resemblance to the historical figure. The on-screen version of Lucius Verus is portrayed as Lucilla and Maximus’s son, who hadn’t seen his mother since he was a child because she sent him away. However, historically, Lucius Verus, known as Lucius Ceionius Commodus, was the son of Emperor Hadrian’s adoptive son and heir, Lucius Aelius Caesar.
Lucius Verus, born in Rome around 130 AD, grew up with his sisters under the care of their father until his passing in 138 AD. Although he was still considered an adopted grandson to Emperor Hadrian, Antoninus Pius was chosen as Hadrian’s successor instead. Later on, Antoninus Pius took Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius Antonius, Hadrian’s nephew, under his wing through adoption. In 138 AD, Antoninus Pius ascended the imperial throne, succeeding Hadrian.
Under the guidance of Antoninus, Lucius Verus was readied for a career in politics. He held various roles within Rome, serving as consul in 154 CE. In 161 CE, he was consul once more, this time alongside Marcus Aurelius. When Antonius Pius passed away that same year, they jointly assumed the position of emperor.
After the Senate compelled him to take over the governance of the state following the demise of the Deified Pius, Marcus chose his brother as a partner in the empire, christening him Lucius Aurelius Verus Commodus and conferring upon him the titles Caesar and Augustus. Subsequently, they jointly governed the state, marking the inaugural instance of dual emperors in the Roman Empire, as Marcus and another ruler began to share the empire he had inherited.
Back in the day, I, as a fellow cinema enthusiast, would’ve found myself standing shoulder to shoulder with Marcus Aurelius, co-ruling the vast expanse of the Roman Empire. Before my untimely departure in the year 168 CE, I led several military campaigns across the eastern territories, carving out our dominion through strategic victories and unyielding determination.
Lucius Septimius Bassianus, aka Caracalla
In the film “Gladiator II”, Fred Hechinger’s character appears to be less steady than his brother, although the extent of his mental abilities remains unclear. Some of his actions in the movie bear resemblance to certain behaviors. Known as Caracalla, Lucius Septimius Bassianus was the offspring of Emperor Septimius Severus. Born in 188 AD, he was later renamed Marcus Aurelius Antonius at the age of seven for political reasons. However, due to his frequent wearing of a Gallic tunic, which is similar to what we now call a caracalla, he earned the nickname Caracalla.
In “Gladiator II,” contrary to appearances, Caracalla was the elder twin. He shared rule with his father from 198 to 211 AD and also with his brother Geta from 209 until 211 AD. However, their alliance was short-lived as Caracalla ordered the assassination of Geta in 211 AD. Upon his own death in 217 AD, Caracalla was remembered as a ruler who…
He was wicked, surpassing even his harsh father in cruelty. He had a voracious appetite for food and an excessive fondness for wine, earning disdain from his household and contempt everywhere except among the praetorian guard. There was absolutely no likeness between him and his brother.
After taking power solo, Caraculla continued to reign until he met an unfortunate end during an eastern military expedition. He was fatally stabbed there.
Publius Septimius Geta
Born in 189 AD, Publius Septimius Geta, more commonly known as Geta, was depicted by Joseph Quinn in the movie “Gladiator II”. Historically, Geta received typical training for a ruler and, in 209 AD, governed the Roman Empire alongside his father, Septimius Severus, and his brother, Caracalla. In truth, Caracalla perceived Geta as a rival and, following their father’s death in 211 AD, orchestrated his assassination.
Following an unsuccessful attempt on Geta’s life, Emperor Caracalla devised another strategy. He persuaded Geta’s mother, Julia Domna, to invite him to her residence, pretending it was for peace talks. Upon Geta’s arrival, a band of old soldiers, acting under Caracalla’s command, suddenly charged in and assassinated Geta. This is how Cassius Dio, the historian, depicted the event:
In a moment of panic, Geta rushed towards his mother. He clung to her tightly, weeping and wailing: “Mother who gave birth to me, mother who gave birth to me, save me! I am being killed!” Unfortunately, deceived in this manner, she witnessed her son dying in an unholy manner right in her arms. At the moment of his death, it seemed as if he was returning to her womb from which he had originated; for she was soaked in his blood to such an extent that she failed to notice the wound she sustained on her hand.
Unlike what is seen in Gladiator II, Macrinus had nothing to do with Geta’s murder.
Marcus Opellius Macrinus
In the film “Gladiator II,” Denzel Washington plays a character named Macrinus, who shares the same name with a historical figure. However, while the name and some events in the movie resemble those of the real Macrinus, the film does not accurately depict his life or his journey to power. Instead, it presents a fictionalized version of these events.
Macrinus served as Roman Emperor from April 217 to June 218 CE, but he had previously been a high-ranking official under Emperor Caracalla. Born in what is now Algeria, Macrinus was of Berber descent and had risen through the ranks to become praetorian prefect, a position that made him one of Caracalla’s most trusted advisors. Tragically, Macrinus played a role in the assassination of Caracalla in 217 CE.
In the same manner as Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’, historically, Macrinus orchestrated the assassination of Caracalla, with Justin Martialis being the one who carried out the deed.
Three days following his ascension, supported by the military, Macrinus claimed the imperial throne, marking him as the first non-senator to hold this position due to his equestrian status. However, his reign was brief as Elagabalus, son of Caracalla, was proclaimed emperor in early 218 CE by rival factions. Tragically, Macrinus and his son Diadumenianus met their end at the hands of supporters of Elagabalus.
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2024-12-01 07:03