Gladiator II Includes several characters based on real historical figures from the days of the Roman Empire, just like the first movie. Gladiator II took the few story threads left by the first movie and spun another tale out of them, this time centered on Lucius Verus. Played by Paul Mescal in Gladiator IIs ensemble cast, Lucius all but repeats the story of Maximus from the first movie; He is ranked by the Roman Empire and is thrust into a life of gladiatorial combat.
apparently, Gladiator IIs history draws several parallels to its predecessor. as the first, Gladiator II is steeped in real Roman history and, despite GladiatorIt’s a little lacking in historical accuracy, there were some elements that aligned with the past. Many of the characters from the first film were real figures with fictional storylines constructed around them, and the same can be said for Gladiator II. Historical accuracy of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator And its sequel apart, the people involved actually existed, and here is each one of Gladiator II.
5
Lucius Verus
Played by Paul Meskal
The character of Lucius in Gladiator And Gladiator II is based on a real-life figure of the same name, albeit with some notable differences. In the first film, Lucius is introduced as the son of Lucilla and former Roman Emperor Lucius Verus I. The young Lucius is due to be next in line for the Roman throne before the actions of Commodius and Maximus change the political landscape of the empire. in Gladiator IILucius is shown as being removed from Rome entirely.
Paul Mescal’s older version of Lucius in Gladiator II is shown living in the coastal city of Numidia on the continent of AfricaStrangers of Lucilla and the genealogy of Rome. However, his city was attacked by the Roman army and he was taken prisoner before being forced into life as a gladiator. Overall, the story is very different from that of the real Lucius Verus II.
Related
Lucius Verus II actually died when he was very young. During a period of the Roman Empire called the Year of the Five Emperors after Commodus’ death, five men vied for the throne. Lucius Verus II was not alive at this point, so he would have had one of the strongest claims. Unfortunately, all of Lucilla’s children died at a young age, meaning much of Lucius’ story in Gladiator II is steeped in fantasy constructed for the sake of another movie in the franchise.
in Gladiator IIAnother major historical change to Lucius’ character was implemented. While there were hints of a romantic story between Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla in the first GladiatorIt was never revealed that the former was Lucius’ father. however, Gladiator II Recon, revealing that Maximus was Lucius’ father. Given that Lucius was shown to outwit Maximus in the first film, this certainly makes sense and provides a thematic passage between the protagonists of both installments.
4
Lucilla
Played by Connie Nielsen
Just as Lucius Verus is, Gladiator IIS Lucilla is also based on a real historical figure. In the film series, Lucilla is shown as an object of her brother Commodus’ desires. Lucilla plays an active role in the court of Commodius in Gladiator Before doing the same in Gladiator II During the reign of the film’s co-emperors, Geta and Caracalla. in GladiatorLucilla tries to assassinate Commodus, one of the few elements Which translates to real life, both to free her from Commodus’s oppression and to give her son a better life.
Commodus’ incestuous feelings towards Lucilla were not based on historical fact and were a fabrication by the film’s writers to make the former a more despicable villain.
In fact, Lucilla played a less active role in Commodus’ court. Before that, she was very close to her father, Marcus Aurelius, and her husband, Lucius Verus I. This made Lucilla an instrumental figure in the Roman Empire, even becoming empress during Lucius’ reign. That said, Lucilla tried to assassinate Commodus later in her life, but the attempt failed Gladiator. Lucilla was then driven into exile, before being found and killed by Commodus’ menMarking a big difference to how her story continues Gladiator II.
3
Ghetto
Played by Joseph Quinn
Gladiator IIHis main antagonists were the co-emperors of Rome, Geta and Caracalla. The former is played by Joseph Quinn in Gladiator II And is based on the real emperor of the same name. Geta and Caracalla have an interesting relationship in real history as the servants of their father, Septimius Severus. After his death, the two were crowned as co-rulers of Rome, which only worsened their rivalry and divided the Senate in two. Eventually, Geta was killed by Caracalla in a power move.
Gladiator IIS Geta is similar in that he and his brother rule Rome together during the story. Their rivalry is also on display, with Ridley Scott stating too Vanity Fair That he saw the two as “Damaged goods of birth.” Quinn reportedly took inspiration from Philip Seymour Hoffman in Mission: Impossible III and Gary Oldman from The fifth element for the portrayal of his character in order not to replicate Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Commodus from the first movie.
2
Caracalla
Played by Fred Hechinger
That said, Caracalla’s role in actual Roman history was one of rivalry and deception. Caracalla first tried to divide the Roman Empire into two halves, one under his role and one under his brother. However, their mother vetoed the idea as she still has a large share of political influence over her sons. Caracalla eventually orchestrated the assassination of his brother and then ordered a damnatio memoriae. This is translated to the judgment of memory, resulting in Geta’s name is banned, statues are removed, coins with his likeness melted down, and records of him were struck.
After this, Caracalla oversaw the slaughter of around 20,000 people. The victims were mostly those loyal to Geta, as well as those who did not follow Caracalla’s new rules. Caracalla then ruled as sole Roman emperor until his death in 217. Fred Hechinger describes Caracalla in Gladiator II And also talked to Scott about how to differentiate his character from Phoenix’s Commodius.
1
Macrinus
Played by Denzel Washington
The final main character of Gladiator II Which is based on a real historical figure is Macrinus. Macrinus is played by Denzel Washington in Gladiator II And is the orchestrator of the film’s story. Macrinus is one who holds great political influence over the co-emperors, Geta and Caracalla. In the film, he is someone who wants the throne of Rome and will do whatever it takes to get there, including manipulating Lucius. Macrinus owns a stable of gladiators and acts somewhat of a mentor to Lucius.
From the beginning, Macrinus makes it clear that he intends to use Lucius as an instrument. Macrinus can get close to the emperors and can use Lucius to influence the political landscape of Rome from the gladiatorial arena, just like Maximus did in the first movie. how so Macrinus is a pseudo-antagonist of Gladiator II Due to his treatment of Lucius and his grasp for powerWhich is emblematic of the many villains in the Gladiator Franchise.
Related
In actual history, Macrinus was the successor of Caracalla as the emperor of Rome. The idea that Macrinus was close to the co-emperors is taken from history, with the former being one of Caracalla’s top advisors as a prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Eventually, Macrinus took power for himself by orchestrating the assassination of Caracalla. Macrinus hired a soldier in Caracalla’s personal guard, who stabbed and killed the emperor, leaving a power vacuum for around three days.
finally, Macrinus declared himself emperor and was supported by the Roman army. Because Macrinus and the army had left Rome, the Senate could not intervene Even if they wanted to. Interestingly, Macrinus never returned to Rome during his reign as emperor, so as to avoid the intervention of the Senate. Eventually, Macrinus was killed as damnatio memoriae was enacted against him, a symbol of his unpopularity as Rome’s ruler, vi Gladiator II Highlights by his villainous role.