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Gladiator II's Historical Errors
Analysis of historical inaccuracies in Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, including accents, animal fights, and anachronistic details.
English
United Kingdom
EntertainmentHistoryFilmReviewAncient RomeAnachronism
University Of ReadingHarvard UniversityUniversity Of ChicagoMailonlineThe Hollywood Reporter
Paul MescalDenzel WashingtonPedro PascalConnie NielsenRidley Scott
- Is the inclusion of baboon fights in Gladiator II historically accurate?
- The inclusion of baboon fights in Gladiator II is historically inaccurate. There is no record of Romans fighting or displaying baboons in the arena. The movie has faced criticism for its historical liberties.
- Why is the scene of a Roman drinking tea while reading a newspaper anachronistic?
- A Roman noble sipping tea while reading a newspaper is a comical anachronism. The printing press and tea were not invented until centuries after the film's setting. Romans did have a system for disseminating news, but it was carved in stone, not printed.
- Why is the depiction of a rhino in a gladiator fight scene historically inaccurate?
- One scene depicts a gladiator fight on a rhinoceros, which is inaccurate. Gladiators fought other men, while animal fights involved different individuals called bestiarii. There is no evidence of rhino riding in Roman Colosseum events.
- What are some of the major historical inaccuracies in the accents used in Gladiator II?
- Gladiator II features a diverse cast with actors using their native accents, a significant anachronism considering the film's Roman setting. The use of English itself is a major historical inaccuracy, as Latin and Greek were the primary languages of the Roman Empire.
- Is the scene of the flooded Colosseum with sharks historically accurate, and how did Ridley Scott respond to criticisms?
- The film's depiction of a flooded Colosseum with sharks is historically questionable. While the Colosseum could be flooded for naval battles, there's no evidence of sharks being used. Ridley Scott defended this scene, highlighting the Romans' engineering capabilities.