Notice! This article contains spoilers for Gladiator 2.
Gladiator 2 centers on Lucius Verus, with many wondering whether he will become Emperor of Rome in the film and whether this was also true in real life. Gladiator 2Lucius Verus begins his journey as a warrior living in Numidia, a kingdom on the north coast of Africa. After having his life turned upside down by the Roman Army, Lucius becomes a gladiator and tries to take revenge on those who wronged him, telling a story similar to the one concluded in Gladiator 1The climactic ending.
As was the case with the first film, several Gladiator characters are based on real people. One of these characters is Lucius himself, although both films make notable changes to the actual historical facts centering on Marcus Aurelius’ grandson. Played by Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2Among the cast of characters, Lucius challenges the emperors in the story, leading many to wonder if he will one day take on the position of head of the Roman Empire, both in Ridley Scott’s epic saga and in the true story on which it is based.
Lucius does not become Emperor of Rome in Gladiator 2 or in real life
Whether fact or fiction, Lucius never ruled Rome
Both in real life and Gladiator 2Lucius did not become the Roman emperor. In Gladiator 2Lucius manages to defy the will of Rome’s corrupt senators. This eventually results in the deaths of Rome’s twin emperors, Caracalla and Geta, with Denzel Washington’s Macrinus briefly taking the throne.
In Gladiator 2At the end of the episode, Lucius kills Macrinus and takes his place as prince of Rome. However, Lucius stops his rise to power there, instead telling the Roman people about his grandfather’s dream of seeing the empire become a republic once again. Lucius succeeds in realizing his grandfather’s dream, as the Roman people regain power from the dishonorable politicians who have long plagued the city’s politics.
What happened to the real Lucius Verus
In relation to the real Lucius Verus, his story was very different. In fact, Lucius Verus died very young, even before his uncle, Commodus, became Roman emperor in 180 AD. It is unclear how Lucius died, but all three of Lucilla’s children died before they matured, meaning the events of Gladiator and Gladiator 2 are almost entirely fictional as far as Mescal’s character is concerned.
Who became emperor of Rome after Geta and Caracalla?
With Lucius’ real-life story marking a tragic departure from the story of Gladiator 2many will wonder who became the emperor of Rome after Geta and Caracalla. In this, at least, Gladiator 2 maintained some historical accuracy. In Roman history, Macrinus succeeded Caracalla after the former plotted to assassinate the latter.
Macrinus’s reign lasted little more than a year before he was supplanted by Elagabalus…
That said, Macrinus did not rule for long. Macrinus’s reign lasted little more than a year before he was supplanted by Elagabalus. This corresponds somewhat Gladiator 2the depiction of Macrinus, although Ridley Scott’s film goes even further. In Gladiator 2In the story of Macrinus, Macrinus is the Roman emperor for a few hours before he is killed by Lucius, as the character reinstills hope that Marcus Aurelius of Rome’s dream will come true.