Historian and host of ‘The Ancients’ podcast, Tristan Hughes, dives deep into the historical accuracy of Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’. The battle over the film’s accuracy has been waged since its release. Tristan unpicks what Gladiator gets right and what it gets very wrong.
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00:00 Introduction
00:35 First Battle
07:41 Maximus and Marcus Aurelius
10:36 Commodus Arrives in Rome
14:08 Slavery in Roman Empire
17:11 Gladiators Enter Rome
19:47 Colosseum Battle: Carthage
25:54 Maximus Reveals His Identity
29:01 Maximus vs The Veteran
34:07 Final Fight: Maximus vs Commodus
40:49 Conclusion
#historyhit #moviereview #ancientrome
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The Historian doesn't look that ancient. Why is he referred to as an "Ancient" Roman Historian?
I bet I am holder than him.
I never heard Agrippa being referred to as Augustus’s aide before 🤔 I think he was a little more than that
Saw this in theater when it came out, my little city had just gotten a new cineplex with stadium seating, probably the best film as far as spectacle ive ever seen in theaters. The only ones I can think of that come close would be brave heart, Kingdome of heaven or Master and Commander, none of which I was lucky enough to see in theaters. Films today are so terrible you would have to pay me to watch them, Disney ruined everything, now their raping the alien franchise….just think on that for a second, DISNEY ALIEN…wtf
When Commodus fought in the arena against others he gave the opponents Lead swords that were useless!!
Nice to finally put a face on you Tristan!
Ridley Scott is, and always has been, incapable of making a proper historical film. But don't ask him.
Kills multiple people without censoring, but better censor the tiger kill.
Romans advanced "in silence" so as to be able to clearly be able to hear orders from their officers.
This fight scene is ludicrous. Romans did not break formation and turn a battle into an opportunity for the enemy to fight individually. Much better to keep together and depend on the " team", and while together its not only easier to act in defence, its easier to issue orders that everyone can hear or pass on to those that cannot.
About the most accurate detail is the fact that most opposition collapsed quite quickly when surrounded. Cavalry was used for this on occasion, but not in a forest setting, as the trees would break up their formation. Cavalry were used as scouts and for pursuit of an already beaten enemy, on the run and not in any formation.
The use of " fire pots" is similarly ludicrous. The Romans had no " Greek Fire".
If you think the capacity for the Colosseum was large, it was dwarfed by the seating at the Circus Maximus, which could hold up to 350,000 people, one in every three people in Rome. The " roar" of the crowd at the circus could be heard before you could see the city walls.
The reason the Circus became redundant was two fold. First and foremost, the seats at the Circus, often put together especially for each event, had several well known seating " collapse" incidents, one of which caused over 50000 injuries and deaths. This arrangement was unsustainable, so more permanent facilities were constructed, with the " Flavian Ampitheatre" having to wait for funding to finish the project, and this was duly provided by loot from the Temple in Jerusalem, a siege which Titus had to finish while his father took control.
The second reason is that the " spectaculars" became more and more elaborate with a " theatre" like organisation requiring a " backstage", where animals and participants could be kept, and " props" stored and introduced to the arena with pulleys lifting them to the arena floor, or animals lifted into the arena cages to be released into the atena itself. This type of "behind the scenes" activity to set up each event was not really possible at the Circus, hence the need for a more " purpose built" facility.
One of my professors in my undergraduate program constantly brought up that the Colosseum not having the posts at the foot of it to hold on the awning, so they made the awning defy physics. The funny thing was, he was a consultant on Spartacus and has consulted on other movies in the past.
Exiti g movie but not accurate at all I'm afraid – also the fighting the 'barbarians' part was utter nonsense – the Romans got whipped as many times as they won battles.
flaming arrows lol, all you need to see
im here to compare this video against "History Buffs"… not judging
I just wish tha audio 'ld be better.
I’ve seen this movie a number of times and only now did I realize the the song that is being played in the background of the first battle of the movie is titled “Mars, God of War”. Near detail
Where did you guys find a historian from ancient Rome???
Don't they just love fire arrows. Ridiculous. That is it just me or with those cavalry troopers using stirrups?
Septimius Severus was born in 145 ad. This was supposed to take place the night Marcus Aurelius died, so it should be 180 ad. Certainly, there wouldnt have been a bust of a senator in his mid 30s in Aurelius's tent.
I think what Hughes meant to say is that it was before Septimius was even emperor in 193 ad.
Really enjoyed the insight! I love how much of keen bean you are Tristian! Proper knowledge flex
Ancient German people doing the Zulu war chant, lol great film though.
He speaks like Jude Law and he resembles like Jude Law. We got a historian Jude Law
Would 100% recommend Tristan’s podcast “the ancients” I listen to it nearly every night before I go to sleep. Interviews incredible historians on some of the most fascinating times of the ancient world such as Greece, Rome, Egypt etc. – great video HH. Gladiator although inaccurate is my favourite movie.
How useful is cavalry in a forest or hilly terrain? Not ideal for such a big expense.
Ridley Scott basically makes modern versions of 1950s historical movies. Historical accuracy means nothing, it's all about story. Once you accept that you can enjoy his films.
DOOM wasn't in Rome so there's that.
Blacks in North Africa??????
If James Bond wore pink Y-fronts, would it make him less of a man?
strangely, he didn't notice that the busts were supposed to be painted
It is the balls that bother me. Would anybody fighting in a forest want to throw great big flaming balls around?
If you can find it, you should definately read "Those who are about to die" by Daniel P. Mannix.
It is a tremendous book about the history of the Roman games from the start to the end.
I now much much can be said about the movie, but in this case I don't give a damn, because to me it remains a masterpiece, both movie and certainly soundtrack.
just remember ALL CAPS when you spell the gladiator name
"As someone who primarily looks at Hellenistic history"
So a greek historian, not roman. Nice.
Okay, besides the idocy of charging horses through a forest – which results in broken legs and dead riders, they have stirrups!
Rome did not have stirrups. They were invented around the first century CE (sources seem to differ between China and India, seems like convergent technology) and spread slowly to the West. Cavalry as we think of it today (mounted warriors) did not exist. Chariots were absolutely a thing, and were extremely mobile on a battlefield but this entire battle should have been on foot. Because tell me how you navigate a chariot through trees.
Great historian and I love this movie. It's great fun. But there's lots of nonsense.