The director of the classic swords-and-sandals epic has not lost his knack for balancing historical inspiration with grandiose spectacle.
The ramped-up elements of the long-awaited sequel have been the subject of fierce debate regardinghow manyGladiator IIdetails are real.
This Latin word, derived from the Greek “naumachia,” literally means “naval combat.”
A vast basin, capable of hosting real warships, was dug near the Tiber.
While textual evidence suggests that naumachia continued into the 5th century, their popularity waned after the Flavian era.
Even in modern times, the concept of the naumachia has been recreated…
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
However, this form of entertainment has persisted as an elaborate display.
It was also revived on a smaller scale by Georgian aristocrats.
How Was The Colosseum Flooded For Naval Battles?
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
This is where archaeological evidence is difficult.
Whether the same techniques were used in the Colosseum is uncertain.
The difficulty of archeological evidence is because of evident renovations.
What is clear is that naval battles were definitely staged on occasion at the Colosseum.
What Ships Were Used In The Colosseum’s Naval Battles?
The arena floor was flooded, creating a watery stage upon which elaborate sets were constructed.
As well as the Colosseum, naval battles were also staged in large bodies of water in ancient Rome.
In these cases, the ships used could be less scaled-down because there were fewer maneuverability issues.
The formidable Praetorian Guard manned these rafts.
Who Fought In The Naval Battles & Was It Gladiators?
Criminals were often pitted against each other.
However, sometimes trained performers or even real sailors and soldiers were employed.
This is evidenced by a naval reenactment.
One side represented Rhodes, the other Syracuse.
Were There Really Sharks In The Colosseum?
And to get a couple of sharks in a net from the sea?
Of course they can!
However, that is not to say marine life was never imported for naumachia.
According toAtlas Obscura,Nero held a naumachia in which seals and hippos were used.
In addition, crocodiles were used for water-themed events.
However, art history says otherwise.
This alleged knowledge of sharks is reinforced by thewritings ofPliny the Elder, a Roman polymath and military commander.
His reference to enemy dog-fish are clearly sharks in the context of the encounters described.
Scotts facetious statement about getting a couple of sharks in a net may have a grain of truth.
