Why historians will rave over Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II

Ridley Scott shakes up history again with ‘Gladiator II’

Renowned director Ridley Scott is at it again with Gladiator II, causing quite the stir among historians and movie enthusiasts alike. Following the controversy surrounding his 2023 biopic “Napoleon,” Scott’s latest endeavor has scholars of ancient Rome eagerly reaching for their history books to fact-check the film’s numerous bold liberties.

Distorting history for entertainment

Scheduled to hit theaters on November 22, Gladiator II promises viewers a visually stunning, action-packed spectacle. However, it’s also sparking debates over historical accuracy. Early screenings received positive feedback, but the film depicts scenarios that even the most lenient historian would label as “creative fiction.”

For instance, a scene where the Colosseum is flooded and filled with sharks (yes, you read that right: sharks) has raised more than a few eyebrows. Dr. Shadi Bartsch, a classics professor, sums it up bluntly: “Total Hollywood nonsense.” She argues that while Romans were known for staging naval battles in the arena, they certainly didn’t involve sharks, an animal not familiar to the Romans.

Another contentious scene features gladiators riding rhinoceroses. Although ancient Roman poet Martial wrote about a rhino tossing a bull in the sky, it’s somewhat of a stretch to imagine gladiators riding them, especially depicted as the two-horn breed, historically incorrect for the era. Similarly, a Roman noble is sipping tea in a café while reading a newspaper—1,200 years ahead of the printing press. While Romans did have daily news carved and displayed in public spaces, cafés were simply non-existent.

Scott isn’t fazed by these critiques. “By the time you get to 2024,” he muses, “it’s all speculation.” Historical purists may scoff, but Scott’s aim is clearly to entertain rather than educate.

AI breathes new life into polar exploration

More than a century after Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition, Endurance, a documentary by acclaimed filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, revisits this incredible tale, employing state-of-the-art AI technology to enhance the narrative. Incorporating historic footage shot by Shackleton’s crew, the documentary further innovates by using AI to recreate the voices of long-dead explorers, reading their diary entries aloud.

This approach isn’t without controversy, echoing the debates sparked when AI was used posthumously for Anthony Bourdain. Nevertheless, the filmmakers argue for its ethical use in portraying historical events meaningfully and respectfully. “It’s a great tool,” says Vasarhelyi, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful and ethical application.

From stars to bees: Jess Bush’s artistic journey

On Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Jess Bush embodies the role of Nurse Chapel. Off-screen, she’s an artist creating works that fuse natural beauty with human craftsmanship. Her latest exhibition, featuring 1,000 bees encased in resin, has captivated audiences in New York. The installation, now adorning the Glass Atrium at Manhattan West, reflects her profound admiration for nature’s splendor.

The exhibit transforms these small creatures into a mesmerizing work of art, provoking thought about our relationship with the environment. “The inspiration was my own sense of wonder and gratitude for Earth’s beauty,” Bush explains. Her collaboration with beekeepers in Australia provided the bees, collected respectfully from their surroundings.

Her work has been met with awe from critics and spectators alike, making significant “buzz” in the artistic community.

Conclusion

From Ridley Scott’s bold historical reinterpretations in Gladiator II to the innovative use of AI in Endurance, and Jess Bush’s mesmerizing bee sculptures, the intersection of art, history, and technology never ceases to amaze. These creative endeavors remind us of the continuous dialogue between fact and fiction, tradition and innovation.

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