Gladiator II (R - 2024) Movie Guide

This Gladiator II (R - 2024) Movie Guide will challenge students to think critically about the concept of Rome—both as a historical empire and as a symbol of ideals, identity, and power. Through the lens of Gladiator II (2024), students will examine how contrasting beliefs—like Hanno’s hope for a Rome built on justice and Macrinus’s embrace of violence and dominance—create deep conflicts. Using carefully constructed scenes, historical flashbacks, and intense dialogue, students will analyze how characters like Lucilla, Acacius, and Hanno represent the fragility of ideals, while Macrinus reflects Rome’s descent into spectacle. From exploring ancient warfare tactics like firebombs and catapults to uncovering the meanings behind quotes from Virgil and Marcus Aurelius, learners will apply historical context to narrative choices. Encourage students to debate whether ideals can survive in societies consumed by fear and control. Use personal reflection questions and extended research prompts to connect Stoic philosophy, Roman warfare, and political ambition to their modern-day parallels.

This resource is meant to supplement the viewing of this movie, see the IMDb listing by searching the movie title.

This resource consists of 15 high-level, short answer and essay questions that will do more than just ask your students to regurgitate information.

This product .zip file includes:
-An Answer Key w/ CCSS Alignment (6 Pages)
-A Student Movie Guide (6 Pages)
-A PDF with link to a Google Slides version (1 Page)
CCSS alignment, Admin Movie Request and Permission Slip (2 Pages)

**Distance Learning Tips:

• Distribute the Google Slides version to each student
• Use the screen sharing tool on your group call software to play the movie
• Pause the movie at each question to give students time to write/discuss

Is this movie guide worth it? Download two of my movie guides for free below:

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