The Real Story of Geta and Caracalla, the Roman Brother Emperors in Gladiator II
As a history enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over ancient texts and artifacts, I find the story of Geta and Caracalla to be a fascinating study of power, ambition, and brotherly discord. Their brief reign was marked by mystery and intrigue, with their true personalities shrouded in the mists of time.
The upcoming film “Gladiator II” by Ridley Scott, releasing on November 22nd, not only unfolds the action within the Colosseum arena but also focuses on the stands, where emperors Geta and his brother Caracalla engage in a power struggle. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger portray these real-life emperors, with their story taking place during their shared rule, from 209-211.
Little is understood about the brothers’ brief rule, as Mary Beard, a renowned classicist and author of Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient Roman World, suggests that much of their time would have been spent traveling from modern-day York, U.K., to Rome, where their father Septimius Severus had passed away.
Modern reports imply that they were plotting a division, as Andrew Scott, a Classic Studies professor at Villanova University, explains: “In one source, it is stated that they intended to split the Empire right down the middle. One individual was to claim the eastern portion, while another would control the western part.
However, contrary to what was depicted in the movie, such events did not transpire as shown. Instead, throughout the film, they portrayed their rule with excessive partying and watching gladiator matches at the Colosseum. In reality, Caracalla is known for having murdered his brother Geta in 211, an incident that involved more than just a display of his brother’s head in the Roman Senate.
According to Beard, it’s believed that Geta was with his mother when he met his end. The tale continues that, in his final moments, he held onto his mother’s lap and whispered, “Mum, Mum, I’m being murdered.
It remains uncertain why Caracalla, as portrayed in historical records, brutally killed his brother Geta, as there’s no evidence suggesting Geta had done anything wrong to warrant such a fate at the hands of his own brother.
According to Beard, it’s hard to say what might have sparked the apparent animosity between Caracalla and Geta, as the sources describing their relationship are often viewed as unreliable.
During Caracalla’s rule, it appears he spent the majority of his time away from Rome. In the movie, an interesting twist is presented where he designates a miniature monkey as his chief advisor, although there’s no historical proof that this ever occurred. However, this fictional appointment seems to echo the actions of another Roman emperor, Caligula, who supposedly considered appointing his horse as counsel before his assassination, a tale reminiscent of the intrigue in ancient Rome.
In the final analysis, Caracalla met his demise. His life was taken from him in 217, during a military campaign in the eastern region of the Roman Empire. As stated by Beard, “he was assassinated during a moment of relief, relieving himself by the side of the road.
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2024-11-22 23:06