Excerpted from TimesOnline, written by Richard Owen.
After 2,000 years, gladiators are to return to the Colosseum – though only in mock fights.
Umberto Broccoli, head of archaeology at Rome City Council, said a series of mock combats would take place next year to give the Colosseum’s visitors a feel of the shows originally staged there, along with “the sights, sounds and smells” of the arena.
The events would be launched to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Vespasian, who began the construction of the Colosseum, completed by Titus, his son and successor.
Sergio Iacomoni, who runs a “gladiator school” where history enthusiasts learn how to use gladiatorial weapons, said it was ready to take part. Founded in 1994, the club has 200 members.
