There are things that I expect the authors to take creative license to further the plot. However there are a lot of background things that don't further the plot and so there is no loss to get them right - I'm disappointed in the latter.
> I never thought Gladiator was a historically accurate movie.
Plenty of people do, though. I recall a friend many years ago who genuinely believed “the people ruled Rome” because he heard it in Gladiator. He was an otherwise intelligent, educated person but there was nothing I could say that would dissuade him.
I think if someone wants to know more about ancient Rome, it's on them to spend the time learning about it outside of an entertainment venue.