'Gladiator II': What's Real And What's Fiction?

Fiction: Thumbs Up for ‘Live,’ Thumbs Down for ‘Kill’

In 'Gladiator II', thumbs up means "live" and thumbs down means "kill," but historically, it's the opposite. Thumbs down meant "swords down" (spare the opponent), while thumbs up signaled a fatal blow. This misconception comes from a 19th-century painting, "Pollice Verso", which influenced Ridley Scott's depiction, despite being historically incorrect.

Fact: Marine Life in the Colosseum

In 'Gladiator II,' the Colosseum is flooded for a gladiatorial "pool party." While exaggerated, this is based on history. Emperor Titus staged naval battles in the arena, bringing in ships, animals, and even people to reenact sea fights. Julius Caesar started these maritime spectacles, which sometimes featured exotic marine life. While shark fights remain unclear, the use of animals in these events was certainly real.

Fiction: Lucius Verus II was a Gladiator

In 'Gladiator II,' Paul Mescal plays "Lucius Verus II," the son of "Empress Lucilla Augusta" (Connie Nielsen) and nephew to "Emperor Commodus" (Joaquin Phoenix). While "Lucius" is mentioned in the first film as co-emperor with his uncle, historical records show he did not survive long enough to become a gladiator. "Lucius" died at the age of 12, which means he wouldn’t have been alive during the events of the original 'Gladiator' or to engage in the arena as depicted.

Fact: Two Brother Emperors Ruled Together

In the film, the brothers "Geta" (Joseph Quinn) and "Caracalla" (Fred Hechinger) share the throne, a historical fact. After their father, Emperor Severus, died in 211 AD, the brothers ruled together, as Severus had intended. However, their relationship was far from harmonious. History records that Caracalla repeatedly tried to eliminate Geta, reflecting the tension between them, unlike Commodus, who was strangled in a bath by a conspirator.

Fiction: Pedro Pascal’s "Marcus Acacius" Was Real

Pedro Pascal’s character, Marcus Acacius, is entirely fictional. Like Russell Crowe’s Maximus in the first film, Acacius is a made-up figure. In *Gladiator II*, Acacius is depicted as a general under Maximus who captures Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, and takes him to Rome. However, this storyline is purely for cinematic effect, as both characters are fictional or dead in historical records.

Fiction: Ancient Romans Read Newspapers

In 'Gladiator II,' a character is seen reading a newspaper in a café—an anachronism. The film is set 1,200 years before the printing press. While Romans had daily news, known as Acta Diurna, it was publicly displayed on stone tablets, not something you could carry to a café, especially since cafés didn't exist back then!

Fact: Denzel Washington’s "Macrinus" Was the First Black Emperor

Denzel Washington portrays "Macrinus," the first emperor of African descent. While the film takes some creative liberties, history shows that "Macrinus" succeeded "Caracalla," proclaimed emperor by his troops rather than the Senate. His rise through Rome’s class system was a significant moment in history.

Fiction: Gladiators Rode Rhinoceroses in the Arena

While 'Gladiator II' features a gladiator riding a rhinoceros into the Colosseum, this is fictional. While rhinos were indeed displayed in the arena, there's no evidence they were ridden. For the film, a lifelike, computer-generated rhino was created that could "run 40 miles an hour, spin, and snarl," as director Ridley Scott described, adding a thrilling element to the scene.