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Gladiators Will Fight Again in Coliseum

Events to commemorate emperor set for next year

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 19, 2008 5:55 PM CST

(Newser) – Gladiators will return to Rome’s Coliseum next year, the Times of London reports, marking the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of the emperor who ordered the landmark constructed. A series of shows will recreate “the sights, sounds and smells” of Ancient Rome, one archaeologist said, promising authenticity. “The gladiators themselves were vulgar, they were sweaty, they stank and they swore. Why not show them as they were, for real?”

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It's uncertain if the fights will take place on a stage over the subterranean ruins on the Coliseum's floor. (©kjtittle84)

Rome will stage a series of gladiator fights at the Coliseum next year, commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Vespasian. (©kjtittle84)

Umberto Broccoli, the head of archaeology at Rome city council, said the gladiators would be authentically outfitted and not look as if they'd been rented from Disneyland. (©kjtittle84)

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The trailer for Russell Crowe's hit "Gladiator." (AngelofDeathRo33)

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Gladiators Will Fight Again in Coliseum