Know this: where death is, we are not. Where were are, death is not! By my sword, strength and honor!—Lucius Verus, to his fellow Gladiators, Gladiator II
Lucius Verus II, also known as Hanno, and Lucius Verus Aurelius, was purported to be the son of Roman Empress Lucilla and Lucius Verus who is deceased. He was the co-ruler during the reign of his uncle, Roman Emperor Commodus. It is later revealed that he is in fact, the son, of Maximus Decimus Meridius.[1]
He was portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in the 2000 film Gladiator, and is portrayed by Paul Mescal in its sequel Gladiator II and by Alfie Tempest as a young Lucius in flashbacks.
Archive footage of Spencer Treat Clark is also used.
Life[]
Meeting a Gladiator[]
A young Lucius at the Gladiatorial Games
Lucius was nearly eight in the year 180 AD, and he had only one living parent, the Princess of Rome, Lucilla. He became friends with Commodus' enemy, the gladiator and General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who had a conversation with the young Prince of Rome.
He enjoyed to watch the Gladitorial Games, and enjoyed learning about Roman history from his uncle, Commodus, the then-emperor of Rome. When Commodus learns that Maximus is plotting against him and that Lucius's mother, Lucilla (his sister), has aided him, he uses Lucius against her, threatening his life if she does become loyal to him.
Commodus ultimately challenges Maximus directly in the Colosseum and Lucius watches the death of his uncle at the hands of Maximus, who also was killed by mortal wounds. Maximus's dying words to Lucilla is that "Lucius is safe."
Into exile and battle[]
Lucilla reunites with Lucius almost immediately following Maximus's death, his words to her proving true. Lucius is now the surviving heir, the Prince of Rome, but Lucilla knows that he is not safe, that there are those who would seek to kill him due to his status. Thus, she decides to send him far away where he will hopefully be safe. He tearfully pleads for her to come with him, but she tells him that she must remain for Rome.
Lucius thus travels by horseback from Rome, eventually settling far away in Numidia on the northern coast of Africa. There, known as "Hanno," he resides peacefully on a farm with his wife, Arishat, but has not neglected his training, lest one day Rome invades. This day eventually comes, with a fleet of Roman ships lead by General Marcus Acacius fast approaching the Numidian harbor. Lucius takes up arms, leading his forces in a pitched battle involving bows-and-arrows and flaming rocks. Arishat fights as well and Lucius watches in horror as she is struck in the heart and falls into the ocean below. In his distraction, he too is hit in his armor and falls. Underwater, he has a vision of Arishat being led away by death. He, however, survives, and is captured by the Romans.
Historical Accuracy[]
Lucius Verus II was the son of Lucilla and Lucius Verus (Marcus Aurelius' co-ruler). He had two sisters: Aurelia Lucilla and Lucilla Plautia. By his mother's second marriage to Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus, he had a half-brother named Lucius Aurelius Commodus Pompeianus.
All of Lucilla's children but Pompeianus died very young, Lucius had died even before his uncle Commodus became the Emperor.
It would seem that film-Lucius is a conflation of both of Lucilla's sons.
Behind the scenes[]
Other actors who were considered for the role of Lucius Verus in Gladiator II include Chris Hemsworth, Austin Butler, Richard Madden and Miles Teller.[2] There were also those who questioned why Spencer Treat Clark was not considered for the role, given his appearing as the young version of the character in the original film and still being an active actor. Director Ridley Scott, however, stated that he wanted a younger actor in the role. Clark himself addressed the issue, stating that he was excited to see the film and what Paul Mescal brought to the role.[3]
Gallery[]
Video[]
Images[]
Posters[]
References[]
- ↑ Trailer for Gladiator II
- ↑ Gladiator II - Trivia. Retrieved on November 27, 2024.
- ↑ Heller, Jeff (October 9, 2024). Original Gladiator Star Addresses Being Replaced By Paul Mescal In Ridley Scott's New Sequel. Screen Rant. Retrieved on November 27, 2024.