Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II ventures back into ancient Rome with an engaging mix of drama and spectacle, but it takes considerable creative liberties with historical accuracy. Here’s a breakdown of the factual elements versus the more fictionalized aspects of the movie.

Historical Facts

• Cultural Details of Gladiators: The film portrays aspects of gladiatorial culture accurately, including the existence of gladiator doctors and the possibility of gladiators having families. These details reflect evidence from tombstones and historical records about the lives of gladiators outside the arena​.
• Roman Infrastructure: Scenes depicting the cityscapes of Rome and Ostia evoke a realistic image of urban overcrowding, public unrest, and the grandeur of Rome as a sprawling metropolis with over a million residents. The Colosseum’s role as a center for public spectacles is well-portrayed​

Fictionalized Elements

• Flooded Colosseum Battles: While the Colosseum could theoretically be flooded, as some ancient accounts suggest, the elaborate naval battles depicted in the film are highly exaggerated. The historical logistics of such events remain uncertain, making this a creative embellishment​.
• Sharks and Rhinoceros Riders: The inclusion of sharks in the Colosseum and warriors riding rhinoceroses adds a fantastical twist that strays far from historical evidence. Though exotic animals like rhinos did appear in Roman games, their use as mounts is purely fictional​.
• Political Plotline: The film’s narrative about a revived Roman Republic and the political machinations of rulers like Caracalla diverges significantly from historical events. The actual historical figures involved had complex and often brutal power struggles that did not align with the film’s storyline​.

Conclusion

While Gladiator II captures the grandeur and brutality of ancient Rome, it prioritizes cinematic spectacle over strict adherence to history. For viewers, the film offers both entertainment and a loose historical framework, though scholars may find its departures from reality frustrating.