Gladiator II includes several characters based on real historical figures from the days of the Roman Empire, just as the first movie did. 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 II’s ensemble cast, Lucius all but repeats the story of Maximus from the first movie; he is wronged by the Roman Empire and is thrust into a life of gladiatorial combat.
Evidently, Gladiator II’s story draws several parallels to its predecessor. Much like the first, Gladiator II is steeped in real Roman history and, despite Gladiator’s somewhat lack of historical accuracy, there were several 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 aside, the people involved actually existed, and here is each one from Gladiator II.
5 Lucius Verus
Played By Paul Mescal
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The character of Lucius in Gladiator and Gladiator II is based on a real-life figure of the same name, though 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 Commodus and Maximus alter the political landscape of the Empire. In Gladiator II, Lucius is shown as being removed from Rome entirely.
Paul Mescal’s older version of Lucius in Gladiator II was shown living in the coastal town of Numidia on the continent of Africa, estranged from Lucilla and the lineage of Rome. However, his town is attacked by the Roman army and he is taken prisoner before being forced into life as a gladiator. Overall, this story is very different from that of the real Lucius Verus II.
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Lucius Verus II actually died when he was very young. During a time 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, as 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 this franchise.
In Gladiator II, another major historical change to Lucius’ character is implemented. While there were hints at a romantic history between Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla in the first Gladiator, it was never revealed that the former was Lucius’ father. However, Gladiator II retcons this, revealing that Maximus was Lucius’ father. Given that Lucius was shown to idolize Maximus in the first film, this certainly makes sense and provides a thematic throughline between the protagonists of both installments.
4 Lucilla
Played By Connie Nielsen
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Just as Lucius Verus is, Gladiator II’s 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 Commodus in Gladiator before doing the same in Gladiator II during the reign of the film’s co-Emperors, Geta and Caracalla. In Gladiator, Lucilla attempts to assassinate Commodus, one of the few elements that translate to real life, both to free her of Commodus’ oppression and to give her son a better life.
Commodus’ incestuous feelings towards Lucilla are not based on historical fact and were a fabrication of the film’s writers to make the former a more detestable villain.
In reality, Lucilla played less of an active role in Commodus’ court. Before this, 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. As alluded to, Lucilla did try to have Commodus assassinated later in her life, yet the attempt failed as it does in Gladiator. Lucilla was driven to exile afterward, before being found and killed by Commodus’ men, marking a big difference to how her story continues in Gladiator II.
3 Geta
Played By Joseph Quinn
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Gladiator II’s main antagonists are 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 had 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 split the senate in two. Eventually, Geta was killed by Caracalla in a power move.
Gladiator II’s Geta is similar in that he and his brother rule Rome together during the story. Their rivalry is showcased too, with Ridley Scott stating to Vanity Fair that he envisaged the two as “damaged goods from 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 to not replicate Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Commodus from the first movie.
2 Caracalla
Played By Fred Hechinger
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As alluded to, Caracalla’s role in real Roman history was one of rivalry and deceit. Caracalla initially tried to split the Roman Empire into two halves, one under his role and one under his brother’s. However, their mother vetoed the idea as she still had a great deal of political influence over her sons. Caracalla eventually orchestrated the murder of his brother and subsequently ordered a damnatio memoriae. This translates to the condemnation of memory, resulting in Geta’s name being forbidden, statues being removed, coins with his likeness melted down, and records of him being struck.
Following this, Caracalla oversaw the massacre of around 20,000 people. These victims were mostly those loyal to Geta, as well as those who did not follow the new rules outlined by Caracalla. Afterward, Caracalla ruled as the sole Roman Emperor until his death in 217. Fred Hechinger portrays Caracalla in Gladiator II and also spoke with Scott about how to differentiate his character from Phoenix’s Commodus.
1 Macrinus
Played By Denzel Washington
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The final major character from Gladiator II who 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 someone who holds a great deal of political influence over the co-Emperors, Geta and Caracalla. In the film, he is someone who desires 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 as Maximus did in the first movie. As such, Macrinus is a pseudo-antagonist of Gladiator II due to his treatment of Lucius and his grasp for power, which is emblematic of the many villains in the Gladiator franchise.
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In real 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 murder of Caracalla. Macrinus hired a soldier into the personal guard of Caracalla who stabbed and killed the Emperor, leaving a power vacuum for around three days.
Eventually, Macrinus declared himself Emperor and was backed by the Roman army. Given that Macrinus and the army were away from Rome, the senate could not intervene even if they wished 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, as Gladiator II highlights via his villainous role.
