The Coins of Gladiator 2 | Separating Fact from Fiction

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

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[@GordonGrant-o1h]

Thanks Leo, agreed with all you views on the film👍

[@isabelcrb]

Super interesting! Indeed, the depiction of Caracalla and Geta in this movie is incomprehensible. I really liked your analogy to Nero and Caligula. It makes sense. Thanks for yet another fun video!

[@AnteZ-vu8ty]

The movie makers could have at least taken a look how the real denarius looks like before making a scene where Lucius gets paid with perfectly round modern looking coins. Did you notice that moment in the movie?

[@Stansman63]

It's rare to see authentic looking coins being used in historical movies, particularly roman ones..maybe small hammered coins just don't look impressive enough on screen.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Well, they could have just made an oversized aureus... just make the rims look right at least!

[@caracallaavg]

Amazing work, Leo! My favorite moment in Gladiator 2 is when Caracalla says "disdain for plebs" and makes his iconic tough guy face

[@briank7936]

I like your story better. So many movie ideas can be had just watching your videos seeing coins and learning history.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you! Indeed, the third century is full of intrigue, interesting characters, and opportunities to make movies or series that are not only entertaining, but also historically accurate. Its such a sad thing that Ridley Scott wasted this opportunity.

[@danphelps3583]

This is a fantastic video. Wonderful historical summary!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you very much! I just had to salvage the garbage dump that was this movie!

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Leo, as usual you have provided us with so much real history which always redirects me back to these characters in my collection. Thank you

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you for the kind words! Im glad I was able to provide some entertainment and salvage the wasted opportunity that was this movie.

[@fificrossnails]

Thanks for another informative and interesting video…I always learn so much from you! I have denarii from just about all of these emperors/empresses, although my Macrinus coin is a provincial bronze one minted in Antioch I believe.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

There are a lot of coins of Macrinus minted in Antioch while he tried to fix all wars Caracalla started around that area!

[@TheNewfyman]

Thank you for bringing light to my favourite era of Roman history and coinage. If you ever cover the Severans again, I’d love to see you cover the Dea Caelestis reverse that boy Septimius and Caracalla shared

[@christopherevans2445]

Cool video Leo. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I can see the 3 denarii of Caracalla one of Geta, a Macrinus silver tetradrachm from Antioch, and a Julia Domna denarius at home. So I guess I get to hold some sort of memorabilia from the real story. Thx for all your work

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Ohh cool, Ive got a Macrinus Tet as well, they are some chunky, impressive coins!

[@davidkalman5691]

As always, fantastic presentation of history through coinage.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thanks you! Im glad I managed to salvage a history lesson out of that dumpster fire

[@Akborn81]

Love the videos, and first to comment. Thanks for all the content you've put out. I've learned alot from your videos.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoy it! :)

[@MrCrack98]

I'm picking up an Assaria from the post office tomorrow. The coin was minted between 196 and 217 AD and shows Caracalla and Geta on the obverse and Tyche with a cornucopia and rudder on the reverse.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Lovely! Which mint in particular?

[@MrCrack98]

@@ClassicalNumismatics It was minted in Marcianopolis.

[@TheMercianMetalDetecting]

Absolutely stunning coins, these interest me far more than the film itself.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you! Have you found any Severan denarius while you were detecting?

[@davidgaidamak1890]

Back with another banger - I'm not excited for these guys to appreciate in price since you can get most (not Macrinus) for a decent price-to-quality ratio.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

The movie was such a hard flop that Im barely seeing any movement in price for their coins. At least there's that!

[@jeffkeller9009]

Justy have to leave a comment, AWESOME content.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thank you very much! I put a lot of effort in these, its heartwarming to see people enjoy it.

[@christopherevans2445]

@@ClassicalNumismatics you're a mentor of a community Leo

[@samsontsang8926]

I have all the denarii issued from Augustus to Balbinus (except for Galba)… I also saw the movie. I know the difference between historical fact and artistic license. I was indeed ENTERTAINED 😊

[@bratrcunik4571]

I haven't seen the movie and I'm on the fence about whether to see it. But thanks you for your fiery defense of Julia Domna.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Ehh... if you dont have anything else better to do, go watch it.

[@bratrcunik4571]

@@ClassicalNumismatics Too bad. I'm a fan of his film The DuelIists, which looks historically accurate.

[@larsquestionmark]

cool video, i just bought a coin depicting young Geta so i was surprised to see this lol

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

One could be mistaken by seeing a coin of the young Geta, which outnumber by a lot the later adult busts, and think he looked like this!

[@rolandocastaneda4429]

What's the silver content on the Caracalla coins for the double denarius?

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

slightly over 50%

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Leo regarding Geta coins, do you regard these to be somewhat rare since they were seemingly purged from existence? Thanks

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

When I first started collecting, circa 2018, there was a clear lack of Geta coins if compared to Caracalla's. I feel like nowadays the market has evened out, at least for the young busts of Geta As for the later coins, with a bearded Geta, these are indeed scarce, not only because the might have been an effort to melt them down, but also because these werent issued for a whole lot of time to start with.

[@jonathanaristone2468]

@@ClassicalNumismatics Thank you for the clarification Leo.

[@filmbuffo5616]

This movie sounds like it's more along the lines of the old Hercules and Goliath muscleman-sword-and-sandal "peplum" Italian films of the early 1960s as far as its historical accuracy goes; it would be nice if were as entertaining as some of those old flicks are.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

At least these old movies gave us a good laugh! This one was just "shut-off-your-brain-and-watch-the-fights"

[@shashwatsreenivasan4505]

Thanks for informing i HAD MIXED OPINIONS ON THE SEQUEL. As an Indian American I love learning about history thanks to video games such as Assassins Creed, Actuall historical accurate movies including Indian ones from my culture and watching funny youtubers such as Oversimplified Bluejay and Sam O Nella. Crash course and Extra history too. I didnt know it would also be history accurate and i think its safe to avoid it after seeing other less historical ones like Napoleon, and Last Duel. I thought it would be as good as the first one though 😢

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

I need to study more on Indian numismatics. Such a diverse and underappreciated niche! Yeah, Ridley Scott is building a pretty terrible reputation for himself.

[@Akiriui]

I’ve been interested in Roman coin for a while now. Would you happen to know a good reference website for Roman coinage?

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Check out my playlist for beginners in my channel page. Tons of videos for beginners, including some that help you navigate the market.

[@legomandk9964]

Nothing that Hollywood make is worth watching anymore!😮

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Such a shame! I have to agree with you

[@Handfulsofhistory]

I do have similar coins, in fact I have many coins that overlap yours. I am about to publish a book on my collection an wonder if you would consider looking at it and possibly writing a review.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Add me on instagram @classical_numismatics and send me a message

[@arthur-yq4ic]

make history great again

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Couldnt agree more! Make history great and accurate again!

[@klink33]

santiago posteguillo writes a series of books about Julia's story. You should check it if it's translated in your language. I enjoyed the movie for what is is, a great show. Did you chuckle when you saw Jugurtha, 300 years after his real death ? 😂

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Sadly Posteguillo adds a lot of his political bias to his novels

[@markp44288]

IVLIA PIA FELIX... she was doing just fine after Geta's death!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

She was given quite a few honorary titles, and she continued her "career" as an Empress, but "doing just fine" after one of your sons just stabbed the other on your arms might not have left her that happy! 😱

[@markp44288]

@@ClassicalNumismatics Oh my point was that "felix" is a piece of propaganda by Caracalla! Tone doesn't come across online always.

[@StephenSkinner-y1c]

Wouldn't waste my money seeing Gladiator II. After seeing Ridley Scott's Napoleon and being utterly appalled by its historical inaccuracy, I left the theater apologizing to my friend, who is a history teacher, for persuading him to see it with me. You can imagine what he thought of it! Therefore, I have no desire to see another bloated, historically inaccurate vanity project from an experienced director who should know much better. I completely agree with your suggestion that a movie centering on the tragic life of Julia Domna is long overdue. In an age that says it wants "more female representation" the film could be centered on the life of an empress knowledgeable in philosophy and skilled in politics who sadly died by suicide after an extraordinary life. After all she did outlive Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta before illness and disappointment got the better of her. Why haven't we seen such a film? I'd say the answer is simple, lack of imagination and historical pig ignorance in the modern film industry. Loved your Severan period coins, particularly the Macrinus denarius. The portrait shows a man who has no illusions about the typical end of a player in Roman power politics. I have 9 of Severan coins in my own collection, my favorite being a Syrian silver tetradrachm of Caracalla with the emperor looking suitably fearsome and dangerous to know!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

The part on female representation was spot on! Third century Rome saw a lot of inteligent, politically savvy women that strongly influenced the way the imperial government was run, even if they did not hold executive power.

[@colbystearns5238]

The only movie centered around a Roman woman I know of is Agora with Rachel Weisz starring as Hypatia. I would love to see a movie about Julia Domna also!

[@StephenSkinner-y1c]

@@colbystearns5238 Yes that was an excellent film. It gave a clear impression of Late Antiquity and showed the tragedy of a remarkable life cut short by brainless fundamentalism. The only historical quibbles I had about it was that she was in her mid 50's not mid 30's when she was murdered by a Christian mob and the murder was far more horrible than seen in the film. There was no kindly person present to strangle her first, before her death by torture. I get why the reality of her death was not portrayed. It would have made the film unwatchable for many, me included. The Christians stripped Hypatia naked and skinned her alive, even cutting out her eyeballs. There is a reason why Hypatia's horrible death has been a stark warning to humanity against religious fundamentalism ever since.

[@OptimusPrinceps_Augustus]

Bonus Nuntium 👍

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

"Citizens will be granted extra Roman Coin video content, as a show of largess from the Senate!"

[@L.Camp13]

Insane i felt the same !!

[@shashwatsreenivasan4505]

VITTORIA AGLI ASSASSINI 🇮🇹💪

[@homerj806]

So history aside; we need to know this? Were you entertained.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

I see what you did there! 😂

[@homerj806]

@@ClassicalNumismatics I finally saw it last weekend. Historical accuracy aside, it was only okay in entertainment. Too much unnecessary talking. There is no way a salt water shark would be able to survive an arena filled with fresh water. And why there was English inscription on the grave. I knew the Romans were sophisticated but I seriously doubt they knew English. With all the money they poured into this movie, they cheap out on not hiring a consultant who speaks Latin.

[@colbystearns5066]

I waited until I saw the movie before watching this video and after just getting out of the theater, yeah there’s definitely a lot wrong about it from a historical perspective. I know it’s a popcorn flick where you’re supposed to just enjoy the ride (and there’s still some things to like about it from that angle like Denzel Washington’s Machiavellian performance) but as a Roman history nerd that’s easier said than done. For example the opening says it takes place 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius which would be 196 AD and yet the siege at Numidia is taking place in the year 200 AD, so their math is wrong. Also there would’ve been no need to invade Numidia at all since it was already entirely under Roman control by then. You’d have to go back to the 100s BC at least for there to still be a question over who rules it. Also Caracalla and Geta would not have been the rulers then since they were little kids at the time, their father Septimius Severus was in charge (I think Pedro Pascal could’ve played him to be honest, he kind of looks like the man based on the surviving art). And the main woman Lucilla would’ve died very early into Commodus’ reign, not living for another few decades. I think the only things in the movie that seemed to resemble actual history is Caracalla’s bloodthirstiness and the fact that he kills his brother (only he did it in front of their mother Julia Domna and not Macrinus). I can go on and on but yeah it would be nice if more movies set in Ancient Rome did more to stay true to what actually happened. The real history is just more fascinating to me than what Hollywood makes of it.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Oh God, I forgot to mention the "Capture" of Numidia 300 years after it was conquered! This was soooo bad!

[@Snaveltje12]

During both films there was a bet mentioned. About 2000 sestertii in the first and 2000 "golden denarii" in the new film. To me it sounded like way to much money, especially the 2000 Aurei. Would that have been anywhere realistic?

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thats 50.000 denarii, enough at the time to pay the yearly wages of around 65 Legionaires. Considering we are talking about the high nobility of Rome, this isnt an unreasonable sum. But for a simple bet, it would have been a very risky bet, nonetheless. The values involved didnt make me cringe, it could have happened. The "golden DENARII" thing did 😂

[@Snaveltje12]

@ClassicalNumismatics Ugh, It was the same for me. Most people don't even know the name Denarii. So why don't use the proper, also not well known, name for the Aureus.

[@kasugaryuichi9767]

Coin good, modern media bad... story of our lifetimes

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Every Roman coin collector has a moral obligation to carry a Caracalla denarius in their wallet, and show it to anyone who mentions this movie 😂

[@neptunesmarsh]

The shameful aspect of a film like this is the mingling of remarkable, accurate events (mock sea battles) w/ the jumbled, exaggerated, and fabricated history. The most accurate, popular representation of ancient Rome is still the eponymous HBO series, but even there exaggerations and fabrications were made to form an entertaining story.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

HBO's Rome lives rent-free in my heart. The errors are forgiveable, considering how spectacular the show was.

[@compatriot852]

It's so disappointing that Gladiator ii completely ignored the actual history of the historical setting. A historical Caracalla would have been a much better antagonist

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Caracalla was a dangerous and cruel man, a perfect villain for a Hollywood movie!

[@leonardolatini1450]

Thanks for your video. The movie Gladiator II look bad for just see the trailer. Seems they put Elagabalus twins instead Caracalla and Geta. Classic trash sequel made in Hollywood

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Ohh, they do have an Elagabalus-esque vibe to them, indeed! In fact, when I first watched the trailer, my initial reaction was "Elagabalus"! Until I saw the second emperor, and Lucilla, and just realized "Ohh.. they distorted Caracalla and Geta, urgh"

[@homerj806]

It's a movie meant for entertainment not a lesson in history. Movies are meant to be a temporary get away from reality. Since it illegal for footballers to use swords during the matches, them movies is were we go. Hey if they use swords in football (or soccer as we call it where I am from), I would watch it.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

If swords were allowed in football, Italy vs Germany matches would be even more exciting!

[@leonardolatini1450]

You right in certain aspects,but put in scene Caracalla with heavy make up is not tolerable. The nickname Caracalla came from a kind of cape used by soldiers, specially in Haul. So he is a military man, not an gentle aristocrat

[@sweetbass3360]

Ridley scott is on a bad run with historical movies. With all that hollywood money, is it that hard to have an expert or two working on the film double checking things? Also, in this movie and in napoleon, I feel like there were just so many missed opportunities, like julia domna missing, and tons of obvious errors. Getting the history right benefits the movie, it's not just a chore.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Historical movies have been so horrible recently that I almost feel like it is done on purpose. Ridley Scott's only saving grace was "The Last Duel", an excellent movie

[@paulfly3121]

I didn't like the first Gladiator movie. Mostly because of all the "liberties" it took with history. I generally don't go to the movies any more because of the way they re-write history, which really bothers me. As you point out, so many truly interesting real storylines are lost, ignored or mangled beyond recognition that I find the movies just too frustrating to watch. Makes me think of a movie I saw some years ago supposedly set during the American Revolution (1770's) where the British troops were mostly armed with Civil War era (1860's!) Springfields! If the movie makers don't care enough to avoid such incredible errors, then I don't care to give them any of my hard earned money... That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Absolutely right! Gladiator had a budget of 300 million dollars! They could easily have spent a few thousand making sure a historian or archaeologist helped point any errors. So, so lazy, and it speaks volumes to the mediocre content Hollywood has been putting out lately.

[@numismaticmaster8612]

Even ignoring the disregard for history, it's just not a good movie. The political intrigue doesn't make much sense, some pretty flimsy characters, and just straight up problems with the film making.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Thats true. I didnt care for any of the characters.

[@Tsukonin]

Nope, Macrinus wouldn't have attracted attention in Rome at all, as Berbers aren't dark skinned whatsoever. So Denzel Washington is a terrible choice. It seems like only Pedro Pascal looked the part of what Romans of North African extraction looked like, as besides Macrinus, both Caracalla and Geta looked nothing like the masculine bearded Mediterranean men they were.

[@MrDarrenclarke73]

Some of the black casting is based on Hollywood Afrocentric ideas claiming all of north Africa was black that why we hear that all Egyptians are black Hannibal is black septimius Severus is black etc

[@heavymetalcoins]

Nice coins. Horrible films 😂😂😂 better being Conan the gladiator II 😂😂😂

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

Conan is amazing 😂