Summary
Gladiator 2is set to delve back into a reimagined version of Roman history – much like the original movie – yet unlike Ridley Scott’s celebrated 2000 Best Picture-winner, the 2024 sequel is set to feature two emperors, rather than one. On the surface, this might seem to contradict what many viewers may assume about how Roman rule worked. However, as unorthodox and fragile as two emperors might seem, the truth is thatGladiator 2’s political situation is based in reality.
Two decades on from his hugely successful sword-and-sandal epic,Gladiator 2sees Ridley Scott return to Ancient Rome. Judging by theGladiator 2trailer, it seems as though the film will once again play fast and loose with history, with Pual Mescal’s Lucius set to assume the Maximus role of a slave set against an empire. However, while severalGladiator 2details are fictional, some aspects of the production – including the role of the movie’s two emperors, are based in reality.
Gladiator 2’s Roman Emperors Are Geta & Caracalla
Geta Is Played By Joseph Quinn, While Caracalla Is Played By Fred Hechinger
Even though it might seem like an overly complicated narrative device, the real reasonGladiator 2has two emperors is because it’s a reflection of what happened in real Roman history. Although it’s unclear when exactly the movie is set,the two emperors featured inGladiator 2are the real historical figures, Geta and Caracalla. Both men ruled Rome after the originalGladiatorantagonist Commodusin the early 200s. As such,Gladiator 2can claim a surprising degree of historical accuracy.
In real life, Geta and Caracalla were brothers who assumed dual emperorship after their father, Septimius Severus, died in 209. In the film, Geta is set to be played byStranger Thingsstar Joseph Quinn, whereas Caracalla will be played byThe White Lotus' Fred Hechinger. Given thatGeta and Caracalla were in their early twenties during their co-rule, this casting once again reflects a degree of historical accuracy. However, given everything that most people are taught about the ruthlessness of Roman rule, it’s worth delving deeper into Geta and Caracalla’s history to understand the context forGladiator 2.
Why Rome Has Two Emperors In Gladiator 2
It’s Grounded In Real History
The historical reason that there are two emperors inGladiator 2stems from the pair’s father, Septimius Severus. Becoming emperor in 193, Severus offered relative stability after the chaos that followed Commodus' death. Although theoriginalGladiatorendingsuggested that with Commodus' passing, Rome was set to become a republic again, the reality was very different.After the real Commodus was killed, rule over the empire was bitterly contested, with five separate individuals claiming the title in a single year.
…while Geta and Caracalla are in charge inGladiator 2, there was a time just prior to the film’s beginning that there were actually three emperors – making things even more confusing.
After much infighting, and the brutal assassination of his predecessor, Pertinax, Severus became emperor. However, recognizing the fragility of his position, and wishing to secure his legacy, he didn’t waste time in consolidating the Severine dynasty.Caracalla was named co-emperor in 198, when he was just 10 years old.Geta followed suit in 209, just before Severus died. This means that, while Geta and Caracalla are in charge inGladiator 2, there was a time just prior to the film’s beginning that there were actually three emperors – making things even more confusing.
The True Story Of Geta & Caracalla And What Happened To Them
Their Story Doesn’t End Well
Judging by theGladiator 2trailer alone, it’s difficult to tell what fate might befall Geta and Caracalla. However, if the film stays relatively true to history, things will likely not end well for the pair. After becoming co-emperors in 209,the real Geta and Caracalla ruled side-by-side for two years. However, their dual reign was defined by constant suspicion, backstabbing, and, ultimately, murder.
When Severus died in February 211, Geta and Caracalla became instantly suspicious of each other, despite the intent being that they would rule as a pair. Much of thehostility came from Emperor Caracalla,who tried unsuccessfully to have his brother killed on multiple occasions. Eventually, he succeeded by pretending to agree to peace talks in the pair’s mother’s private apartments, only to order his centurions to stab Geta to death. This, unsurprisingly, brought the pair’s co-rule to an end.
Caracalla himself ruled for another six years, becoming notorious for his cruelty and readiness to execute political rivals. He was himself eventually assassinated whilst preparing for a campaign against the Parthians on the orders of Macrinus – set to be played by Denzel Washington in the movie. It is unclear to what extentGladiator 2will follow the real history of Geta and Caracalla. However, the truth of the pair’s relationship is certainly colorful and entertaining enough to sustain a blockbuster.
