I am for the gladiators around the colosseo. I had a couple of photos taken with one and had no problems. The guy was cooperative and like a good guy, put on a smile as well. we still get a laugh at how silly I looked. But vacations are supposed to be fun, so being silly is good. I thought they were supposed to be licensed, and should be if not.

I like my gladiator picture.

I agree, just silly to get rid of them. No one is forced to have their pictures taken with them. If they are "ex-cons" then they are "EX" cons. Doesn't bother me. What's next? Is NYC going to chase all those fake Statue of Liberty's out of Battery Park?

http://roma.corriere.it/roma/notizie/cronaca/12_aprile_7/gladiatori--protesta-colosseo-2003993764513.shtml

I found this article on-line, as I'd not heard about this before i read this thread. it says[I think] that thirty families have been left without bread, and that the gladiators would not mind being regulated, but they've got the right to earn a living the same as the rest of us.

the photos are of their protest at the top of the colosseum - thirty in total - hence the headline.

i wasn't bothered by them, and don't have a problem with them making a living out of tourists - isn't that what many romans do, one way or another?

About time.

I have seen them intimidate a couple of clueless people - and that king of person just shouldn;t be allowed.

Does "some tourists seem to love it" justify everything these days? Why do people need entertainment at tremendous sites of education?

I hadn't known until I read Fodor's that people have a right to make a living scamming people. Why do people here imagine that if they went to Italy and something "never happened to me" that it never happened?

Are people who claim to be sophisticates about Rome due to their many visits really unable to tell the difference between someone who runs a hotel and someone who feeds you or sells you a beautiful item and people who trick people at tourist sights and degrade Rome in the process?

People really don't wish things were better than crap?

From National Geographic news report:

"A new law that took effect in Rome on March 30 makes it illegal for “gladiators” to loiter in front of the Colosseum or ask for money.

Carol Foster, a student who studied abroad in Rome, says that the faux gladiators do more harm than good in the city. “They’ll pose with you as you’re trying to take a picture of just you and the Colosseum and then they’ll hop in the picture and say that because they’re in costume, you owe them money,” she said. “Instead of wanting to pass the Colosseum to enjoy the history, it became something I avoided.”

Last August, 20 gladiators were arrested by undercover police (posing as gladiators, garbage men and tourists) responding to complaints from alleged victims of the armor-clad scams.

A group of tourists said they paid a gladiator to give them a museum tour… that never happened. The tourists were later threatened by the man when they asked for their money back. Other gladiators have offered to take photos of tourists then held their cameras for ransom until they agreed to pay an outrageous price.

Several undercover police officers disguised as fellow gladiators were attacked by the costumed men outside the Colosseum. Police in uniform were called in to rescue their colleagues."


It's not as if these people weren't warned. The present government of Italy is trying very hard to establish a true rule of law in italy. Tourists come here and complain Italy doesn't have "common sense" regulatons, and then when the government tries to regulate tourist sites FOR THE BENEFIT OF TOURISTS, the same people come on Fodor's are start threads saying they can't make up their minds if this is really good for tourists, even though they say they know it is a scam.

Is tourism something that destroys people's ability to look beyond themselves?

(And they say travel is broadening.)

Zeppole, before you get all wacky on this. In some ways I agree with the policy and in others I do not. Realistically, since I am not a citizen of Rome, I really have to say in the matter.

My wonder is this...let's say for argument sake that most of them are ex-cons. Let's say in some few instances they have extorted money or even harmed others. I've never really seen them be pushy, but I'm sure some will. That said, do Roman citizens want these folks, who now have at least some form of employment, to be chucked out? Is that not making the situation worse?

This has been an operation that has been openly operated in Rome (and other places) for decades. Now, to just shut it down with 2 weeks notice? It doesn't seem that the government even considered the idea on licensing, as from one article I read one of the self-professed leaders brought the idea up and was ignored. So what does the govt think these people are going to do to make money if this is what they have been doing for years, after they got out of prison?

To the other side, yep it is illegal, it is a scam and some people have been harmed by it. That is why I simply don't know if there is a good solution to this other than some kind of licensing / checking.

dave

Next? Here at Hollywood's old Chinese Theater we'd have to get rid of Superman, Batman, The Hulk, Elvis, Marilyn, Snow White and a slew of other folks just trying to make living. I see no problem with the gladiators, nor the Ghengis Kahn look-a-likes on the Great Wall...nor the Colonial "actors" in Williamsburg. Watching "General Washington" address a group of onlookers, a train shot by and without missing a beat, the good General said .."what the hell was that?" to the roar of the crowd.

C'mon Romanos, traveling is not only about Museums, relics, digs, ancient buildings, operas, ballet and food....how about another kind of fun here and there, where warranted.

Zeppole, we were writing at the same time and I had not read the Nat Geo report you posted. That does change things in my mind.

I had my picture with a gladiator in 1996, and was clueless about needing to pay for the photo op! My daughter took my pic and we were on our merry way. I just laughed when he asked for money. I guess I should have paid. They didn't hassle me.

I have two pictures I've paid $5 for; my gladiator picture and one of my 4 year old daughter (now 34) sitting on a pony with a silly cowboy hat on in our front yard. I cherish them both.

There are too many of them. Hold weekly battles between the gladiators with only one or two left at the end. Toss in the odd criminal to spice things up.

There are too many of them. Hold weekly battles between the gladiators with only one or two left at the end. Toss in the odd criminal to spice things up>>

cold - i think the makers of the hunger games got there before you.

Ann and Cold..let's toss in a lion or two.

Can we seriously say that they are a scam. OK, you want to use one of these guys in a photo, you pay. Want George Clooney or Meryl Street to attend and be in a photo - you pay. Big deal - get over it. There are people all over the world doing similar things, guys with fake leather jackets, kids begging.

If you want a totally sanitised tourist "experience", then stay in your own sterile environment.

Here's a suggestion. The USA gets rid of its insane habit of paying people to do the job they are paid to do - driving a cab, taking a meal to a table, fixing someone's hair, carrying bags, calling cabs.

And Rome gets rid of the Centurions.

When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Ditto in New York, and does Disney policy exclude Mickey et al taking tips?

I don't care. They're easy enough to avoid, especially if you speak some Italian. I never saw them as a threat, rather as comedic interlopers. I never wanted a photo of them or with them; that sort of thing doesn't interest me. But I don't see them as harmful, and if it puts a bunch of ex-cons in a position of using their skills to make a buck, meh!

One cannot assume, much as one might like to, that all the tourists in Rome are steeped in its history and are there to make ponderous journeys through archaeological sites to harken back to ancient times. Fact is, plenty of tourists, whether they be American or Japanese or even other Europeans, descend upon Rome with hardly any education on what the history of the place is other than what they may have seen in movies or on television. How much harm can a bunch of fake gladiators cause to folks who "get" for a moment SOMEthing they can relate to?
Yes, it's goofy and totally shallow, but it appears to have appealed to a lot of people...and isn't that what a free market is all about? The fact that they are ex-cons (if that's true) seems to me to argue for letting them continue. I'd be extremely happy if ex-cons here in DC were allowed to parade around as ex-Presidents, or current presidential candidates, or whatever, and make a buck or two from it.

That the Italian government is making a big deal out of this seems to me like extreme posturing and very superficial. They have far greater fish to fry, frankly. I understand that the Italian government claims it's trying to establish a "true rule of law" in Italy. Well, come on folks, banning the gladiators is possibly the wimpiest legal shot at doing that, and wimpy Italian legal shots at attempting to accomplish something are legendary. You got MAJOR economic problems, plus a population that doesn't even take rule of law seriously at all, and you're banning the GLADIATORS?? A token move, at best. And stupid.
But as I started out with, does anyone really care? One could have visited Rome, as I did, many years ago, before the fake gladiators were in evidence without having the slightest sense of their lack of presence.

They are vile and it is about time. This is the Colosseum not Disneyland. People died in horrific circumstances in this place, it deserves to be treated with respect. As if these con artists are going to starve! They will just head up to the Termini area and pull another con of one type or another. They are not 'nice' guys. They had a tightly controlled racket that was a nice little earner for them. All cash. No tax. Beautiful. Hopefully the pushy photographers at the Trevi will be next.

So a convict in prison decides to go straight and upon his release spends a few hundred euros on a Centurion suit of armor *just on a whim*, so he can find work? Which just happens to be illegal & tax-free.

"Several undercover police officers disguised as fellow gladiators were attacked by the costumed men outside the Colosseum. Police in uniform were called in to rescue their colleagues."

So now suddenly these hard working honest ex-cons physically attack the competition?

Does anyone think that perhaps this is an organized crime ring using criminals rather than just Mario Q. Public looking to make a living on his own? Regards, Walter

"They're easy enough to avoid, especially if you speak some Italian."

Okay St Cirq - I am curious what one would say in Italian that would make it easier to avoid a gladiator. Rather than, say, walking right by them. "Sorry I'm allergic to gladiators." Or "Back away buddy I beat the lion last time."

The easy way to get rid of anybody importuning you is to say that you have no money (dress as I do, and it is instantly believable).

"Vai via" = go away.

"non capisco" = I don't understand.

"sono di Cornavaglia" = I am from Cornwall. [that puzzles them for long enough for me to make my escape]

"sorry, i don't speak english" - [borrowed that from a comedy sketch show, it works a treat].

or, as you have already suggested, cold, just keep walking and don't make eye contact.

PS, cold - "sono di Canada" would work for you!

We don't have scum like you in Canada?

Oh yes Ann sorry, using the Cornwall example ... I am from Canada. Got it.

We don't have scum like you in Canada?>>

lol, cold, i think that's beyond my capacity to translate.

Not surprisingly, Italian has a host of words that could translate to "scum" in English.

I'll miss the gladiators, but then again...

Our experience with the Colosseum gladiators has been mixed, but definitely not improving over the past decade-plus. I found it off-putting a year ago when I wanted a photo with a Fabio-lookalike gladiator. Apparently their "rules of engagement" dictated that I was stuck with a wimpy little dude wearing a plastic raincoat. Horrid last-minute bait & switch.

On the other hand, I'm with Grasshopper - I do treasure my DS & gladiator photos as he grew up...

Not surprisingly, Italian has a host of words that could translate to "scum" in English.>>

some of us are too well-bred to know them, st. Cirq. [talking about cold, of course, not me!]

St Cirq,

Why don't you deploy your extensive knowledge of Italian and list them? (It's okay, you can use google.)

"Fodorites",

Most of what I read here tells me that news of the changes taking place in Italy are not reported in the US press, or people who post on Fodor's don't follow the news.

The government that repaced Silvio Berlusconi has felt that Italy has suffered loss of investment because people perceive the country as having lax law enforcement. The new government also believes that unless it shows that it enforces the law evenly -- regardless of wealth, poverty, connections, etc -- it will lose the support of the Italian people

The Colosseo is a very visible international symbol of Italy. For some people visiting Italy, from cruise ships or from far away Asia, it is one of the few impressions of they get. Making it an orderly and making all people conducting trade there abide by a clearly stated set of rules is part of the determined mission of a new government, that named its own mission "Save Italy."

Keep your 'gladiator" photos. They may be worth something someday as a memento of a corrupt Italy that is fading fast into history.

While searching for something else I came across this Aug '11 article about the undercover police raid (mentioned above).

"Criminal gangs" http://tinyurl.com/3nfbsl8
Regards, Walter

Well I have only been to the coliseum twice, once over 20 years ago, andI don't recall if they were there or not,, and once 4 years ago. The gladiators didn't bother us.. didn't think they were a problem. I assumed the tourists posing with them knew it was a pay photo op... so I am a bit surprised that some people considered it a scam.

Perhaps if its regulated. I don't see the harm in it.

I love the gladiators.

The Gladiators are kitsch...
Won't be missing them....

Italy needs the rule of law. Will it get it, I ain't holding my breath but I pray they are successful. It makes Hercules's labours look like a bit of light dusting.

Veering a bit off the topic, when last in Italy (three years ago in Milan) and moreso Rome (seven years ago) it was the swarming vendors who made a negative impact on our trip. We left piazzas where we'd gone to stroll and perhaps purchase a gelato because of them. When visiting il Colosseo the gladiators were easy enough to send away with a simple no. Not at all the case with the vendors. Shake one off and there's the next.

So given that I'm not completely up-to-date with Italy, is/has the government addressed that?

A blog I follow posted this today. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/20/italy-gladiators-up-in-arms?newsfeed=true

How do you get someone to pay �50 or �100 for a photo-op? Intimidation perhaps?

[In article] Also Gladiators never said this;

"Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant [Hail Caesar, those who are about to die salute you]"

It was said to Emperor Claudius once though at a Namachia (in this case a large mock sea-battle on a lake).

Condemned criminals manned the ships in a fight to the death usually, if not I'm sure they would only be saved to be used again in some type of death match.

One ship of criminals hoped this salute to the Emperor would get them on his good side.

A link from '07 on that page reports an attack on a tourist. www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/28/italy.travel?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 Regards, Walter

Wish that they get rid of them by the Trevi Fountain too!