Who were Emperors Caracalla and Geta? Gladiator II's Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger characters explained
Sir Ridley Scott's sequel features two notorious emperors.
It wouldn't quite be a Gladiator film without an iconic tyrannical Emperor now, would it?
In the original Gladiator film by Sir Ridley Scott, which was released in 2000, Joaquin Phoenix delivered quite the monumental performance as the Emperor Commodus but now, the anticipated sequel sees the introduction of two emperors who just so happen to be twin brothers too.
Emperors Caracalla and Geta certainly bring a new level of unhinged to the film, with Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger taking on the talked-about roles.
The two rising Hollywood stars make their mark in the sequel movie along with leading cast members Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.
But who were the real Emperor Caracalla and Geta and what happened to them? Plus, who portrays them in Gladiator II?
Who were Emperors Caracalla and Geta?
Caracalla and Geta each held the title of Emperor of the Roman Empire in their own right.
The two brothers were descended from the Severan Dynasty and were the sons of Emperor Septimus Severus and his wife, Empress Julia Domna.
The pair initially ruled alongside their father, Emperor Septimus Severus, first with Caracalla and then with Geta. Their father hoped that upon his death, the brothers continue to rule side-by-side.
Yet, as Co-Emperors of the Roman Empire and brothers, Caracalla and Geta did not have a pleasant relationship.
Unlike in the film, Caracalla and Geta were not twin siblings, with Caracalla being the older of the two and he did not wish to share power with his little brother.
The brothers proved incapable of sharing their rule and considered splitting the Roman Empire between the two of them, but this was prevented by their influential mother.
What happened to Emperor Geta?
In the end, the feud between the two powerful brothers proved too great and Caracalla had Geta murdered while attending a peace meeting with their mother. The younger brother died in their mother's arms.
Following this, Caracalla had 20,000 men and women either murdered or proscribed for being the followers of Geta.
What happened to Emperor Caracalla?
The tyrant Emperor Caracalla would rule for a further six years and campaigned away from Rome with military disasters.
Caracalla himself was not interested in the day-to-day minutiae or ruling and left much to his mother Julia Domna, instead pursuing his military endeavours and expensive architectural endeavours
Eventually, Caracalla was murdered by one of his soldiers from the Praetorian Guard in what is now modern-day Turkey.
In the aftermath of his death and the ascension of Emperor Macrinus, Caracalla's mother Julia Domna ended her own life.
Were either of Caracalla and Geta married?
In Gladiator II, neither Caracalla nor Geta are depicted as being married.
In real life, Geta was also unmarried, or at least there was no record of a marriage or a significant romantic relationship.
Meanwhile, Caracalla was said to have been unhappily married to a Roman heiress named Fulvia Plautilla but she is said to have been murdered alongside her brother on Caracalla's orders.
There is not much to suggest that Caracalla was Queer as suggested in the film.
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Who plays Emperor Geta in Gladiator II?
British actor Joseph Quinn portrays Emperor Geta in Gladiator II.
Quinn is best known for his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4 and has since gone on to star in films such as Horde and A Quiet Place: Day One.
The actor will soon be seen joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as The Human Torch/Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Who plays Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator II?
American actor Fred Hechinger portrays Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator II.
Hechinger is best known for his roles in the first season of The White Lotus and Pam & Tommy, along with film roles in Eighth Grade, News of the World, and The Woman in the World.
He is due to portray Chameleon/Dmitri Smerdyakov in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe film Kraven the Hunter.
Read More:
- Gladiator recap: Everything you need to remember before watching Gladiator 2
- Gladiator 2 soundtrack: Which songs are in the score and more?
- Gladiator II review: A sturdy sequel that revels in its more ludicrous qualities
- Will there be a Gladiator 3? Latest news on possible sequel
Gladiator 2 is now available to watch in cinemas.
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Authors
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
