Romans are furious about an “insulting” deal to allow tourists to dress up as gladiators and stage mock fights in the Colosseum.

Luckily, there’ll be no bear battling or rhino slaying next May as the Master of Ceremonies greets groups after sunset and leads them through the great gates of the amphitheatre. Guests will be guided through the torch-lit underground chambers and prepare for combat, donning armour just as the gladiators would have done almost 2,000 years ago.

With Gladiator 2 hitting cinemas the world is going mad for Ancient Rome. For centuries, the Roman Colosseum stood as the grand stage for epic battles and fearless gladiators. Now, nearly 2,000 years on,

If you were planning a trip to Italy, what activities would you include? Touring the Sistine Chapel or riding a gondola through Venice?

The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb

Guests who enter Rome's historic arena will dress in gladiator armor and "face off against your fellow warriors."

If you're excited for Gladiator 2, you don't just have to watch the movie – you could actually live it, thanks to Airbnb. A new experience from the rental space marketplace promises an authentic gladiator experience (well,

Rome’s iconic amphitheatre will be open to the public at night for the first time ever as Airbnb invites its bravest guests into the Colosseum after dark to train for gladiator glory. In honour of the Gladiator II release on 15 November,