Gladiator 2 highlights historical naval battles in the Colosseum

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator 2" features scenes of naval battles in the Colosseum, which some critics have dismissed as fictional. However, Scott asserts that these water battles are based on historical events from ancient Rome. Historical records confirm that the Colosseum was flooded for staged naval battles during its inauguration by Emperor Titus in 80 AD. These events included animals, though not sharks, as noted by the Roman historian Cassius Dio. While some elements, like combatants riding rhinos, may be exaggerated, exotic animals were indeed used in Roman games. "Gladiator 2" is set to be released in theaters on November 22.