Gladiator II's ending seemingly sees the realization of the dream of Rome and the impossible hope that Rome could once again become a republic. Lucilla's son Lucius (Paul Mescal) follows in the footsteps of several members of his family in fighting for a better Rome.
However, both Gladiator movies are slightly colored by the fact that the audience knows that the Roman Empire no longer exists. Yet how real history can play into the movie's themes finds a voice in Acacius, who ironically says exactly what is going to happen in the future multiple times.
Acacius Voices Concerns About Overexpansion Early On In Gladiator 2
Acacius Tells The Emperors That They Will Have To Feed The People They Conquer
Acacius Bluntly Says That The Roman Empire Will Eventually Fall
When The Emperors Threaten Acacius With Obscurity, He Says It Will Be All Their Fates Eventually
Another line said by Acacius has huge historical implications but doesn't have a great presence in the movie's themes. After he and Lucilla are both arrested for treason and the emperors are threatening him with losing all his renown, Acacius says: "Everything is forgotten in time. Empires fall. So do emperors." The story then moves on with the other characters trying to save Rome after Lucius doesn’t kill Acacius, emphasizing that Rome as it presently exists is what the characters know, and they will strive to uphold it — but this line haunts the narrative.
Acacius is absolutely right: the Roman Empire will eventually cease to exist. The average person today probably isn't overly familiar with the life of a random Roman emperor, unless they have specifically studied this period of history or were made aware of certain figures by fictionalized pop culture. If everything that Geta and Caracalla do is for an immortal legacy, it is ultimately meaningless. Even if the Roman Empire comes back and thrives for many more centuries, nothing lasts forever, as many years of history before this point can tell them.
How Much Does Acacius Actually Believe In Rome's Future In Gladiator 2?
The Dream Of Rome Is More Associated With Lucius, Lucilla, & Maximus' Characters
The historical characters in Gladiator II don't make it overly clear what they think the lasting impact of what they will achieve will be; the idea of the dream of Rome sounds very weighty and implies a kind of revival, sounding like they want their civilization to last much longer. However, Acacius is a pessimistic voice in all this. He is the military strength behind the rebellion and doubtlessly believes that deposing the twin emperors is in the best interest of the Roman people.
The sense of things coming to an end is subtly present in Gladiator II as it depicts a time when Rome was historically in decline.
