But was Rome really as gay as that? Ancient Romans would not have seen sharks at the Colosseum. But historians say that other parts of the film Gladiator II are surprisingly realistic.
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The history Gladiator II gets right
But was Rome really as gay as that? Ancient Romans would not have seen sharks at the Colosseum. But historians say that other parts of the film Gladiator II are surprisingly realistic.
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This weekend, thousands flocked to Britain's cinemas to see Gladiator II. The film, made by Ridley ScottAn English filmmaker known for his sci-fi, historical and crime films. He was born in 1937. and set in Ancient RomeOne of the largest empires in the ancient world. , is a sequel to the original 2000 film.
Some historians are not impressed. Gladiator II features sharks in the ColosseumA 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. (never happened), rhino-riding (deeply unlikely), and newspaper-reading in a cafe (no newspapers and no cafes in ancient Rome).
Scott does not care: "When I have issues with historians, I ask: Excuse me, mate, were you there?".
But, whether he was aiming for accuracy or not, Gladiator II does actually get a number of things right about Rome:
Gladiators at sea. The sharks may not be real but the Colosseum was sometimes flooded so gladiatorsAncient Roman fighters who would stage battles and duels for the entertainment of large crowds. Although this is often thought of as a bloody sport, in reality it was quite rare for gladiators to be killed: their aim was to incapacitate their opponent. could hold boat battles.
Warring brother rulers. Brothers Geta and Caracalla were real and did rule together. But Caracalla quickly had Geta murdered.
Enslaving prisoners. Many gladiators were prisoners of warPeople who have been captured and imprisoned by enemy forces during a war. , like Lucius Verus.
Black emperor. Denzel WashingtonAn American actor and director born in 1954, seen as one of the best of his generation. 's MacrinusA Roman emperor between 217 and 218AD. character was real, was briefly on the throne and was of North African BerberDescendants of the pre-Arab peoples who lived across North Africa. origin.
Hints of homosexuality. Same-sex relationships were entirely ordinary in Rome. In fact, for young men, having a relationship with an older man was seen as a useful part of a good education.
Was Rome really as gay as that?
Yes! Same-sex relationships were common in Ancient Rome. But for a long time, filmmakers did not show this part of history. Being gay is nothing new.
No! Same-sex relationships were common, but they were not similar to the healthy LGBTStands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.+ relationships we see today. They mostly involved abuse of younger and lower-status people by powerful men.
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Keywords
Ridley Scott - An English filmmaker known for his sci-fi, historical and crime films. He was born in 1937.
Ancient Rome - One of the largest empires in the ancient world.
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.
Gladiators - Ancient Roman fighters who would stage battles and duels for the entertainment of large crowds. Although this is often thought of as a bloody sport, in reality it was quite rare for gladiators to be killed: their aim was to incapacitate their opponent.
Prisoners of war - People who have been captured and imprisoned by enemy forces during a war.
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.
LGBT - Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.
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
Ridley Scott - An English filmmaker known for his sci-fi, historical and crime films. He was born in 1937.
Ancient Rome - One of the largest empires in the ancient world.
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.
Gladiators - Ancient Roman fighters who would stage battles and duels for the entertainment of large crowds. Although this is often thought of as a bloody sport, in reality it was quite rare for gladiators to be killed: their aim was to incapacitate their opponent.
Prisoners of war - People who have been captured and imprisoned by enemy forces during a war.
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.
LGBT - Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity.