Pompeii's 'House of Gladiators' Collapses

Experts blame collapse on mismanagement
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 8, 2010 2:20 AM CST
Pompeii's 'House of Gladiators' Collapses
People stand by debris in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii where gladiators once trained.   (AP Photo/Franco Castan?)

Archeologists accused the Italian government of mismanaging the Roman ruins at Pompeii after a 2,000-year-old house once used by gladiators collapsed over the weekend. The "House of the Gladiators"—used by gladiators as a locker room and training area—was known for the frescoes of military adventures painted on its outside walls, some of which archaeologists hope can be salvaged.

Experts warned that more buildings at the site, which was buried by a volcanic eruption in AD 79 and rediscovered 400 years ago, are likely to collapse unless the government invests more in its upkeep. "Unless there is a proper plan put into action I'm very sad to say that we will see this sort of thing happen again," an archeologist at the site tells the Telegraph. "Buildings that are at risk must be secured or they will collapse." The gladiators' building collapsed when the site was closed and no one was injured.
(More Pompeii stories.)

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