Jack in Time for Christmas

Gladiator II takes place years after the events of the original film. Lucius has built a life away from Rome, but that stability ends when Roman troops under General Marcus Acacius conquer his home. Lucius is taken prisoner and eventually enters the gladiatorial arena.

His return to Rome places him in the orbit of Macrinus, an ambitious and highly intelligent power broker who sees opportunity in Lucius's fighting ability. Rome itself is now ruled by the co emperors Geta and Caracalla, whose leadership has pushed the empire toward greater instability.