Table of Contents
- 1 The gladiators did not intend to die in the arena
- 2 Gladiator fights weren’t always bloody
- 3 Some gladiators were stars before their time
- 4 To what extent should viewers rely on Gladiator II as a source of information about ancient Rome, and what additional resources could they consult to gain a more comprehensive understanding?
When, in 2023, director Ridley Scott attempted to tell the life of Napoleon in his film, beyond the mixed reception from the press, historians frowned. No, Napoleon did not fire cannonballs at the pyramid, and no, he was not present during the beheading of Marie Antoinette on October 16, 1793. British historian Dan Snow, on his social networks , had returned to some of the inaccuracies of the film. Ridley Scott’s response: “Buy yourself a life. »
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However, the filmmaker Scott, for all his films, including his last, Gladiator II (released in theaters on November 13), surrounds himself with historical consultants. Why does he bother with their company? This is because the director wants to make choices, not mistakes. Once again, in Gladiator IIit accumulates daring “choices”, which we must repair.
The gladiators did not intend to die in the arena
The Caesar of anachronism returns to this scene, in a bar, where a Roman noble sips what appears to be a cup of coffee, while reading the morning newspaper… 1,200 years before the invention of printing, so . Certainly, daily news (Acta Diurna) existed at the time, but they were carved and placed in specific locations. As for the Roman Starbucks…
ALSO READ How ancient Rome invented spectator sportIn the cinema, the entrance of the gladiators is often punctuated by this famous phrase: “Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you. ” Epic ! But, as Anne Bernet, specialist in ancient Rome and author ofHistory of gladiators (Tallandier, 2023): “He’s a legend. It happened once. A director who had a sense of formula suggested this. It didn’t please at all, because contrary to popular belief, many gladiators did not intend to die in the arena. »
Gladiator fights weren’t always bloody
Because, yes, fights did not always end with the death of a gladiator. “It was the fall that marked the end of the fight. No need to be dead, he simply had to be exhausted or injured,” says Anne Bernet. Blood still often flowed in the arena, and death was one of the risks of the job. This is evidenced by the words engraved on the epitaph of a gladiator in Verona: “I warn you: he who loses, he dies. »
Has cinema lied to us? Not totally. Bloodbaths did exist, but often in special circumstances. Anne Bernet gives the example of the inaugural games at the Colosseum, around the year 80: “So there, it will be a terrible bloodbath which will happen several times. But they are not strictly speaking gladiators. They are prisoners, thousands of defeated soldiers. We will actually push them to kill each other. There are no survivors there. »
A gladiator surviving is above all a question of economics. The fighter represented a real investment: months of intensive training, a monitored diet, constant care… All of this had a cost. No question of sending them to the pipebreaker in every fight! Moreover, inscriptions found in Pompeii suggest that “only” 10 to 15% of gladiators died in the arena.
How many gladiators have died in history? “It is impossible to know, due to a lack of sufficient statistical data. Thousands, surely. Tens of thousands perhaps. Or even more,” estimates Anne Bernet.
The Romans still wanted blood. Anne Bernet recounts that one day, Marcus Aurelius, renowned for being a sensitive soul, was horrified at the sight of a trapeze artist who had suffered a spectacular fall. He then asked for nets to be installed and even proposed replacing the gladiators’ sharp weapons with speckled swords. “Except it lasted only one performance, because the Romans wanted blood, not a great display of fencing. »
Some gladiators were stars before their time
In his films, Ridley Scott depicts gladiators as outsiders chained to their fate. However, the reality was much more glamorous: some fighters were the stars of their time, idols as adored as our modern footballers, with, for the best, enormous salaries. Anne Bernet says that upon leaving the arena, the public could leave with a portrait of their favorite gladiator, a statue or even a lamp bearing his image. Panini cards before their time!
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The fervor in the amphitheaters was not that far from an OM-PSG classico at the Vélodrome. Gladiatorship was a popular passion, and the public was also stimulated by the lure of gain. “If you have a generous organizer, because he needs the support of the people, he will not only organize magnificent games, but also give gifts. Very nice gifts. There were lotteries where you could win an apartment, a house or even land,” says Anne Bernet.
ALSO READ Ghosts of gladiators in the 5th arrondissement of the capitalSome gladiators were true sex symbols who turned heads even in the upper echelons of the aristocracy. In Rome, people would sometimes murmur mischievously: “It’s funny, this child looks a lot like this famous gladiator who died ten years ago, don’t you think? » The answer often came with a knowing smile: “Oh, it’s probably because his mother admired him so much that she thought of him very much the evening she conceived him…” But, as Anne recalls Bernet, there were often “much more logical explanations”.
To what extent should viewers rely on Gladiator II as a source of information about ancient Rome, and what additional resources could they consult to gain a more comprehensive understanding?
## World Today News Interview: Separating Truth from Fiction in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II
**Introduction**:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to World Today News. Today we’re diving into the world of ancient Rome as depicted in Ridley Scott’s new blockbuster, Gladiator II. Joining us are two esteemed guests: Dr. Marcus Aurelius, a renowned historian specializing in the Roman Empire, and Ms. Serena gladiatoria, a famed archaeologist and gladiator combat expert. Welcome to both of you!
**Section 1: The Historical Accuracy Debate**
* **Host:** Ridley Scott is known for his visually stunning films, often taking creative liberties with historical accuracy. Dr. Aurelius, what are your thoughts on the portrayal of ancient Rome in Gladiator II, particularly regarding the liberties taken with historical details?
* **Dr. Aurelius:**
* **Host:** Ms. Gladiatoria, from your perspective as a gladiator combat expert, how realistic are the gladiator fight scenes in the film? What historical nuances do you think viewers should be aware of?
* **Ms. Gladiatoria:**
**Section 2: The Life and Work of Gladiators**
* **Host:** Ms. Gladiatoria, Gladiator II challenges the common perception of gladiators as mere barbarians sentenced to death. Can you tell us more about the reality of a gladiator’s life, their training, and their potential paths beyond the arena?
* **Ms. Gladiatoria:**
* **Host:** Dr. Aurelius, the film suggests that gladiators were sometimes viewed as celebrities, attracting adulation and even inspiring merchandise like modern-day sports stars. Is this an accurate reflection of their social standing in Roman society?
* **Dr. Aurelius:**
**Section 3: The Bloodlust of the Roman Crowd**
* **Host:** Gladiator II portrays the Roman public’s fascination with violence and spectacle, with the gladiator fights often ending in bloodshed. Dr. Aurelius, how central was the concept of “Bread and Circuses” to Roman society and political stability?
* **Dr. Aurelius:**
* **Host:** Ms. Gladiatoria, apart from the spectacle, were there any deeper cultural or spiritual significance attached to gladiatorial combat in Roman society?
* **Ms. Gladiatoria:**
**Section 4: Conclusion**
* **Host:** Thank you both for shedding light on this fascinating and complex period of history. Dr. Aurelius, Ms. Gladiatoria, what final thoughts do you have for our viewers about the depiction of ancient Rome in Gladiator II and the need for critical evaluation of historical dramas?
