From the first trailer until the release ofGladiator II, one thing stands out as the main difference betweenRidley Scott’ssuccessfulsequeland his originalGladiatormovie:there is not only one, but two Roman Emperors. Twins Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn) rule together as co-emperors who, despite their hedonistic parties and manygladiatorial gamesat the Colosseum, aren’t exactly loved by the people. But how much of it is actually true according to history, though?
Caracalla and Geta Were Not Twins
The two co-emperors have unique dynamics, beingdistinctly different from each other while, at the same time, sharing many interests.Getais the political mind of the duo, whose over-the-top shenanigans keep the people entertained, and he and his brother stable on the throne.Caracalla, on the other hand, seems crazier and quieter,hiding his jealousy of his brotherand even claiming Geta tried to suffocate him in the womb. Both of them lovegladiator fights, but, in reality, they weren’t twins.
‘Gladiator II’ Review: Ridley Scott’s Sequel Is a Grand Epic That Can’t Escape Maximus' Shadow
Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal also star in a sequel that’s best when it tells its own story instead of retelling Maximus' story.
Caracalla and Geta were bothsons of Emperor Septimius Severus,who was able to pacify the Empire after a period ofgrowing instabilitythat followedCommodus' (Joaquin Phoenix) death. Severus also planned to make stability his lasting legacy by making both his sons his co-emperors before they shared the throne, thus starting the Severan Dynasty.Caracalla,the eldest, and Geta, the youngest, briefly ruled with their fatherbefore his death, and then went on to share the throne for less than a year in 211 AD.
The Outcome of Their Sibling Rivalry Was Even Worse Than in the Movie
Septimius Severus may have tried to make Caracalla and Geta get along, but, as soon as he died,the two brothers never shared a room without the presence of their mother,Julia Domna, or their own guards. They lived in constant fear that one would have the other assassinated, and eventhe imperial palace had to be divided into two separate wingsso they didn’t have tosee each other. They even consideredsplitting the Empire, but were convinced otherwise by their mother, who ended up doing most of the actual ruling.
InGladiator II,Macrinus(Denzel Washington) takes advantage ofCaracalla’s jealousy to influence him to kill Getaand even helps him commit the act. In reality, the whole affair was even more tragic. At the end of 211 AD, Caracalla asked Julia to organize a meeting with Geta in her apartment at the royal palace, knowing it was the only way to see his brother without his guards. It’s not known for sure whether Caracallastabbed Geta himself or if he hadsomeone elsekill him,but all accounts referenceGeta dying in Julia Domna’s arms. This moment went down in history as one of Rome’s most infamous and has been portrayed in paintings by iconic artists such as Jacques Louis David andEdward Francis Burney.
Caracalla Met His End Six Years Later
Right after committing fratricide, Caracalla then ordered adamnatio memoriaeagainst Geta, which means thatall records of Geta were to be purged. Also, everyone who was connected to Getawas massacred, and his face was evenscratched off the Severan Tondo, a famous depiction of their family.Caracalla would thenrule Romeby himself for six years,mostly waging war against the Parthian Empire in present-day Turkey, instead of Numidia, like depicted in the film.
While Caracalla was away, Macrinus became a well-known politician, and rumors of a prophecy describing the way hewould depose the emperorstarted going around. When he became aware, Caracalla decided to have Macrinus killed, andMacrinus, knowing he had to act fast, got a friend of his named Martialis to kill Caracalla. Martialis was a disgruntled soldier who was denied the rank of centurion by Caracalla years earlier, and he took advantage of a stop Caracalla made to relieve himself as they were traveling. Ridley Scott is often vocalabout how little he cares abouthistorical accuracy,but depicting these events in Gladiator II would probably result in a very different story.
Gladiator IIis playing in theaters across the U.S.
Gladiator II
Lucius Verus, the son of Maximus’s beloved Lucilla, returns to Rome after years in the wilderness. Captured by Roman forces led by General Marcus Acacius, he is thrust into the gladiatorial arena. As he battles for survival, he encounters Macrinus, a former slave-turned-merchant, and faces the corrupt twin emperors Caracalla and Geta.
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