Yes, many of the characters in ‘Gladiator’ and its new sequel are based on actual figures from ancient Rome Gladiator II might seem too wild to be believed — Colosseum rhinos and baboons and sharks, oh my!

In Gladiator II, Denzel Washington plays a glamorous arms dealer and former gladiator who plots to control Rome. The character, Macrinus, is based on an actual historical figure. But director Ridley Scott says that Macrinus is a bit like a certain modern ...