IN Gladiator (2000) Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) faces a corrupt and cruel Rome in the hands of Commodus (Joachim Phoenix). This forces the general to practically give his life in the gladiatorial arena to ensure the longevity of the Empire’s dream. Moreover, to restore the Roman spirit and the influence that it represents. But in Gladiator 2 (2024), that dream seems further away than ever. Especially now, power belongs to the brother emperors Goethe (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). Delusional, cruel and unable to unite the territory, Rome is about to collapse into ruins of what was once the center of the world.
And again Ridley Scott becomes Gladiator general history in an atmosphere of interesting and intricate political intrigue. Much more in reflections on power, fraudulent ways of obtaining it and violence. And all this in a luxurious environment that recalls the glory of Rome with its beauty and spaciousness. Both Gladiator and its sequel are reflections on how ambition, greed and cruelty can shake even the most powerful empire of all. Especially when hatred becomes the common currency between the characters and the setting.
But, no matter how creepy and exaggerated it may seem, the saga Gladiator This is not just a figment of the imagination of screenwriters John Logan and David Scarpa. In fact, much of the saga is based on real events that were as horrific as, or even more horrific than, what is told in both films. We leave you with a tour of the historical background on which Ridley Scott’s stories are based. From the context of genuine Commodus to the violence of power. All this to immerse yourself in one of the most interesting approaches to life in Imperial Rome on the big screen. As you might expect, this review contains quite a few spoilers about the film. Gladiator 2so read carefully.
What is real and what is not in the Gladiator saga?
One of the most interesting moments Gladiator and what its sequel inherits is a view of honor, family and loyalty to the Empire. While both films revolve around the idea of revenge, they also reflect heavily on how a Roman general—or citizen—perceived the territory. It was not just about identification with the inhabitants of Rome, the center of the Western world at that time. It was also a way to think about how these relationships – admiration and self-sacrifice – were part of the character of ordinary people and military figures. Something that was more evident than ever when he portrayed Russell Crowe’s honest Maximus.
IN Gladiator 2Part of the interest centers on the personalities of the emperors Caracalla and Geta. Just like Commodus, both represent the way in which Rome collapses due to the clumsiness of the visible heads that rule it. But while the film portrays them as two crazed antagonists, the real story is much bloodier and more violent. Caracalla, in particular, He is considered a bloodthirsty tyrant with a cruel history behind him.
Appointed emperor in 211 AD. C., from the dying father of Septimius Severus, the brothers hated each other. Moreover, coming to power meant that both had to agree, for better or for worse, on the qualities that each of them would have as a ruler. Constant dispute turned them into sworn enemies, whose mutual intrigues turned Rome into a hotbed of betrayal. murder and weak loyalties based on fear or greed.
Two points of view on power
As reported in Gladiator 2The ruling couple exercised power as a duo. Except that while the film shows the deplorable way in which both exercised power, it softens the true impact of two men known for their political awkwardness. Especially because of his bloodthirstiness and cruel behavior. In fact, the government of the emperors, He was known for fights that made each other’s egos fragile.
Within two years – the time in which this occurs Gladiator 2 — emperors sought to maintain a precarious balance between greed, selfish interests around them and a thirst for revenge. Finally, Caracalla ordered the death of his brother and took power alone, despite a wave of assassinations to cut off any resistance. To do this, he protected himself with the memory of his brother and in the supposed need to give credit for his death.
The emperor would later be known for granting Roman citizenship to the free people of the empire regardless of their background, in addition to public baths in Rome. But despite his attempts to ingratiate himself with the people, his penchant for barbarism and cruelty earned him an infamy. Little by little, his behavior led to him having political enemies of all stripes, which also fueled the president’s brutal nature. When he died, he not only left the empire’s economy in disaster, but also killed the population just for fun, as well as political rivals and their own family.
Tragic queen for history
In fiction, Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen) arrives in the Gladiator saga amidst a complex panorama of power. Especially when he tries to stand up to his brother Commodus and preserve the legacy of his father Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) in the midst of a bitter dispute. In Gladiator 2 his role is similar, but Moreover, it embodies, for better or worse, the values lost by the Empire.
However, there are some important inconsistencies between Lucilla in the film and the real one. The brightest, historical one, died six years before the birth of Emperor Caracalla, so a meeting between these two would have been impossible. In addition, she participated in a plot to kill her brother Commodus, which led her into exile in Capri, a place in that she would be killed by an unknown man, presumably sent by her brother.
The hero who never existed
Although Paul Mescal’s Lucius was real, he died before Commodus came to power as emperor, and was certainly not the son of Maximus. In addition, he occupied a very important position in Rome, being the grandson of Marcus Aurelius and the son of Lucius Verus (co-emperor of the first). He was the eldest of all Lucilla’s children, among whom were Aurelia Lucilla, Lucilla Plautia and Pompeano. Born in his mother’s second marriage.
Contrary to what he says Gladiator 2Lucius died in infancy. The one who managed to survive the violence of growing up in the shadow of Commodus and the betrayal of his brother was Pompeian. The latter became a soldier and senator. Finally, he was killed during one of Caracalla’s brutal plans of violence.
Source: Hiper Textual
