Historian Critiques Historical Accuracy of Gladiator II

Ridley Scott's upcoming film Gladiator II has faced harsh criticism from historian Dr. Shadi Bartsch, who labeled it as 'total Hollywood bulls***' due to its numerous historical inaccuracies. Key points of contention include a scene depicting a Roman nobleman reading a newspaper in a café, an anachronism given that the printing press was not invented until 1,200 years later; Romans instead had 'Acta Diuma' news carved in stone. Bartsch also criticized the film's portrayal of a flooded Colosseum featuring sharks and rhinos, noting that while naval battles did occur in the arena, there is no evidence that gladiators rode rhinos or that Romans were familiar with sharks. Despite the backlash from historians, the film is generating excitement among audiences ahead of its November 22 release. Scott has previously dismissed such critiques, suggesting that historical accuracy is often overshadowed by entertainment value in film. With a significant budget and high expectations, the film's commercial success could be impacted by these early criticisms.