As a history enthusiast and a follower of historical accuracy, I must admit that Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” has left me with a mix of excitement for its grandiose action sequences and a hint of skepticism regarding the historical authenticity of some scenes. The sea battle in the Colosseum, complete with sharks, is one such sequence that raises eyebrows due to Scott’s penchant for blending fiction with history.
In Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” there are numerous thrilling action sequences. These range from a brutal fight involving computer-generated baboons to Paul Mescal cleverly evading a charging rhino within the Roman Colosseum. However, one scene that might spark the most curiosity is an incredibly bizarre spectacle where the Colosseum is flooded with water and sharks. In this scene, gladiators make their entrance on a boat, as a fake sea battle unfolds, much to the amusement of the ruthless emperors Geta (played by Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (portrayed by Fred Hechinger).
Is it true that the Colosseum ever experienced flooding filled with sharks? This is a valid question, given Scott’s tendency to creatively interpret history. For example, in “Gladiator II,” a character reads a newspaper 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press. And let’s not forget about Scott’s “Napoleon,” which was criticized heavily for its historical inaccuracies by French historians, who accused him of disrespectfully misrepresenting history and insulting the French people.
In the fictional Colosseum sea battle depicted in “Gladiator II,” Scott is remarkably staying close to historical truth by recreating a type of ancient Roman entertainment known as “naumachia.” This form of spectacle involved simulated sea battles for amusement, which could be held either in artificial lakes where battles had previously been fought or in flooded amphitheaters. In these events, convicts or prisoners of war would engage in combat with soldiers until one side emerged victorious.
The first recorded naval battle, known as a naumachia, took place in 46 B.C., authorized by Julius Caesar, and some of these events were later held in the Colosseum. For example, it’s thought that Emperor Domitian may have organized a sea battle within the Colosseum in 85 A.D. The “Gladiator II” naumachia increases the excitement by incorporating sharks, although it’s doubtful such an event actually occurred in reality.
Professor Chris Epplett, who specializes in Greek and Roman history at the University of Lethbridge, shared with Vulture that he’s not certain if sharks were actually housed within the Colosseum. However, there was a possible timeframe when they could have flooded the arena floor. This stretch might have lasted approximately 10 to 20 years, before they completed the full basement. During this period, it’s plausible that they staged exhibitions featuring marine animals, including sharks, if they decided to flood the area.
At this year’s “Alien: Romulus” premiere, Scott jokingly commented to EbMaster about sharks by stating: “It’s simple really. When someone asked, ‘How do you put sharks in the Colosseum?’, I replied, ‘You can construct a Colosseum – how ignorant are they?’ Essentially, you capture some sharks and throw them in. It wouldn’t be difficult.
“Gladiator II” is now playing in theaters nationwide from Paramount Pictures.
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2024-11-23 01:47