But was Rome really as gay as that? Ridley Scott’s new epic has historians rolling their eyes. But some think his subversive vision of our ancestors is surprisingly true to life.
The history Gladiator II gets right
Blood and gore: Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus (left) who is forced into slavery after failing to defend his adopted homeland Numidia, takes on Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius (right). Glossary
Prolific - Producing a large amount of something.
Ridley Scott - An English filmmaker known for his sci-fi, historical and crime films. He was born in 1937.
Consternation - A feeling of shock or confusion. It derives from a Latin verb meaning to alarm or dismay.
Colosseum - A vast stadium built by the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus. It could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It was used to hold gladiatorial contests and even mock sea battles.
Protagonist - Main character.
Denzel Washington - An American actor and director born in 1954, seen as one of the best of his generation.
Macrinus - A Roman emperor between 217 and 218AD.
Berber - Descendants of the pre-Arab peoples who lived across North Africa.
Heteronormative - A world view that promotes heterosexuality as the "normal" or preferred sexual orientation.
Anachronistic - Something belonging to the wrong time period.