The Ludus Magnus (also known as the Great Gladiatorial Training School) was the largest of the gladiatorial schools in Rome. It was built by the emperor Domitian (r. 81–96 C.E.) in the late first century C.E., alongside other building projects undertaken by him such as three other gladiatorial schools across the Roman Empire.

Worried about trying to interest kids in yet another ancient Roman monument? Rome's Gladiator School is the answer to your prayers!Rome is a great city. It's full of life, history, culture, great food and drink.And it can also be hot, tiring and a place where kids can quickly become bored and fractious. We know - we've been there.So if you're looking for a great alternative to trying to interest your grumpy, disinterested family in yet another ancient Roman ruin, or you just think you'd love something out of the ordinary while you're in the Eternal City - you've come to the right place.Because gladiator fights are alive and well in Rome's Gladiator School - and you will be the star of the show.What exactly is it?In our view - it's quite simply Rome's best tourist attraction! Ina city where kids can quickly become tired of trailing round ancientmonuments, this is a great experience which brings history alive for thewhole family. The main 'arena' of Rome's gladiator school.It's a bit like going back to school - but much more enjoyable. The 'Gruppo Storico Romano' began what is actually the only authentic Gladiator School in the whole of Italy as long ago as 1999.Thesociety is made up of Italian men and women who love the heritage ofancient Rome so much that they're committed to teaching others in asmany interesting and varied ways as they can find.

Theydon't only run the school, though. Around mid-April each year look outfor their parade of gladiators around the streets of the Colosseum, orone of their battle re-enactments. What they don't know aboutancient Roman history isn't worth knowing - but their greatestgift is that they are passionate about bringing it to life in anunderstandable, fun way.What exactly happens? On your marks.Each session begins in the Gladiator School museum which is full ofauthentic accessories used in ancient gladiator fights, includinghelmets, swords and clothing. One of the actual helmets from the school's collection.These'props' are used to bring to life the day to day life of the gladiatorin ancient Rome, and to explain the very different ways they fought.And if you think this would be dry, think again - everyone, from thevery youngest to the very oldest, is spellbound. You'll even get to try the helmets on but be aware - they are very heavy! Atthe end of this session you'll be given an ancient name by which you'llbe known for the remainder of the course.

From now on, you're a reallive ancient Roman gladiator! With thehistory lesson out of the way the real fun begins and you'll learn allabout what it was like to fight in the ancient Roman Colosseum. Where else could you get to be a Retiarius for a day?!You'llactively take part in the kind of training ancient Roman gladiatorswould have undertaken - though luckily, nothing like as physical orstressful! You'll be dressed in a kind of toga (don't worry, it's wornover your everyday clothes!) complete with belt, sandals and a woodentraining sword called a 'rudis'.

The remainder ofthe time at gladiator school is spent learning basic techniques ofattack and defence using your wooden sword. When you've proved yourselfwith that, you'll move on to use the 'gladius', the heavier sword whichgave gladiators their name.

And if you're reallylucky, you'll also get to practice the art of the 'Retiarius', one ofthe most exciting of all gladiators who fought with net and trident. Not likely!! The school's 'Arena', with viewing gallery.Nowcomes the real show - the culmination of everything you have learnedand worked towards during your session - a tournament in the gladiatorschool's own arena. You'll show off the skills you've learned duringthe session using the actual metal weaponry and armour and, at the endof it, you'll get a certificate of accomplishment. Take it home to show your friends!Who will enjoy it?Originally,we thought this would appeal mainly to kids when they'd had enough ofsightseeing - but actually adults love it just as much - and often more! For kids,there's no doubt that it brings those tedious history lessons aboutancient Rome alive. It's educational but it's fun, and they'll rememberwhat they've learned.

The minimum age is six; younger children can watch their brothers and sisters free of charge, although we guarantee they'll want to join in! Learning is fun at the Gladiator School!TheGladiator School can also lay on special sessions for groups of schoolchildren. What better way to encourage youngsters to experience ancienthistory as part of the world's cultural heritage? For adults,it's a great workout - expect to be aching by the end of the session.An important part of the training is learning exactly what amazing anddisciplined athletes ancient Roman gladiators were.

You'll be glad it'sonly two hours! Of course, there's the fun side for adultstoo. As one man said: 'I get the opportunity to chop at my friendswith swords - it's a dream come true!' And it's not just men who love it. It'sa little known fact that there were also female gladiators, and womenare encouraged to take an active part in gladiator school. Ourexperience is that women tend to take it less seriously than men butlove it just as much. Ifyou're thinking of having your stag or hen (bachelor or bachelorette)party in Rome but aren't sure what to do, the Gladiator School could bethe perfect solution for you.Can I go, but not take part in the fights?

Cheat codes for lego pirates of caribbean. Absolutely!Justas with the Colosseum itself, the Arena at the Gladiator School hasseating for spectators. Spectators are encouraged to sit and cheer (orjeer!) and to take as many photographs as you like. Remember to take abottle of water with you if it's a hot day.How safe is it? Completely 100% safe for everyone - young, old and in-between.Youdon't need to worry - the gladiator school is run by 'Nerone' - a Bancad'Italia employee who is exceptionally knowledgeable about Italy'shistory and heritage, and takes his responsibilities as leader veryseriously - as you would expect from an employee of Italy's largestbank! Without spoiling the fun, rules of safety are verystrictly adhered to and all staff make sure that there is not theslightest possibility of anyone being hurt.What not to expect.Rememberthat the gladiator school is run by enthusiastic volunteers. They'revery friendly and very knowledgeable, but it's not a polished Hollywoodproduction.

Nor does it take place in the ancient Roman Colosseumitself - the gladiator fights are held in the school's small 'arena',about eight metres square. The jeans are a bit of a give-away!Butwill you have fun? Will you come away feeling that this was one of thehighlights of your trip to Rome? Will your kids think it was one ofthe best ever things to do in Rome and want to go back for more? Absolutely guaranteed!Where is it?It's situated on the Appian Way or 'Via Appia Antica'which is very apt, as it was not only one of the most important roadsof the Roman Empire but the road along which followers of one of themost famous of ancient Roman gladiators - Spartacus - were crucified. One of the more frequent complaints from visitors is that it's hard to find.

The Via Appia Antica is a very long road and runs outside the city; the best way of getting there is by taxi. Ask the driver to drop you at number 18. Look out for this entrance.You'll find yourself having to walk down a dirt track; opposite a bus stop is the school. Look out for a home-made sign saying 'Scuola di Gladiatora'and the large red logo of the 'Gruppo Storico' underneath. You'll alsosee a paddock with a full sized catapult - there are not many of thosein Rome, so you really can't miss it! This area may not be onthe usual tourist trail but it's perfectly safe and actually only aboutone and a half miles away from the Roman Colosseum. Allow some extratime to arrive - most people do get a bit lost on the way, but it's wellworth persevering.When is it open?Allyear.

Lessons begin at 9 a.m. And last for two hours. They take placeright through the day, the last starting at 7 p.m.

Be aware whenbooking that Rome's climate in summer can be incredibly hot. Not at all,especially considering that it's a completely unique experience - andthat you get to handle items worn by real live gladiators, centuriesago! Prices vary depending on the size of the group andwhether you want a 'private' session (i.e.

Only your group, nooutsiders). Clicking on the link in our section will take you to the booking page of our partner, Viator Tours, where you will find up-to-the-minute prices. Ifyou happen to be staying at Rome's Cavalieri hotel, the conciergeservice can arrange for you to have private gladiator tuition from theGruppo Storico in the grounds of the hotel.

The price is roughly thesame, but there needs to be a group of about eight people before it'spossible. Ask at the hotel's reception for details.How to book.Ouradvice would be to book before you travel.

Gladiator School has becomemore popular as more people have discovered it (although it's stillrelatively unknown), and there is a limit to the number of sessionsavailable. Leaving it until you are in Rome may well mean you'redisappointed to find no spaces available. Pleasenote: We use Viator Tours as our partner because they are anextremely reputable company who provide out of the ordinary experiencesfor travellers.

They guarantee that if you can find the same dealelsewhere, they wil refund the difference. We do earn asmall commission if you book through this link, but the price to you isexactly the same as it would be if you booked direct.

Our commissionsimply helps us to keep this website free to use and up to date. Avoid the 'gladiators' outside the Colosseum who will ask often outrageous prices for you to have a photograph taken with them. Muchbetter to pay for a lesson at the gladiator school, where you arewelcome to take as many photos as you like - all of them far moreauthentic.Trying to educate your kids about ancient Rome?Here are some links to our pages of very strange but true facts about the ancient Roman Colosseum which will get them hooked. Click on the pics to have a look.If you're planning to visit Rome, these pages may also be of interest to you.On this page you'll find more information aboutand during each of the different seasons, which will allow you better to plan your trip.If you enjoyed this article, we'd love you to let us know - just click the button below.

Robert Conrad is Officer Charles 'Chick' Stacy, an LAPD cop with an attitude. After busting a prostitute, she files a complaint against him. A week later, he shoots her in an apparent frame-up job. Officer Stacy is prosecuted, found guilty of murder and sent to 'Gladiator School' (prison).

His partner (Benjamin Bratt) believes Stacy is innocent, even though no evidence can be produced to say otherwise. Also working for Stacy's release are two internal investigation agents (one of them played by Ed O'Neill). Can these fellow officers get Stacy out of prison before the inmates teach him a deadly lesson?.

'Police Story' was an exceptional police show from the 1970s. Unlike a traditional cop show, this one had different characters and different sorts of officers and detectives in each show.showing a gamut of different police activities. In the 1980s, a couple 'Police Story' made for TV movies appeared.and I assume they were attempts to revive the series which didn't take hold. Officer Chick Stacy (Robert Conrad) is an old school beat officer. In other words, while he's mostly a good cop, he also has his own may of handling some cases which are NOT by the book. It's bad enough that his partner requests a new partner and he's got a long record of complaints from folks he's arrested stating he used excessive force.

After arresting a really nasty prostitute, the woman alleges that Stacy used excessive force. Soon after, she is drugged and set up in a situation where she appeared to be shooting at Stacy. He returned fire.killing her. But, because it is a set-up, her gun is missing and it appears as if Stacy murdered her!

In addition to following Officer Stacy, the film has a parallel plot-showing the Internal Affairs officers (Anthony LaPaglia and Ed O'Neill) working their various cases.including Stacy's. The pair are unusually sympathetic.unlike the stereotypical IAD cops seen on other shows. Overall, this is a very good film and it might have been nice to see a series. My only complaint is that there is way too much sax music in the film-so much that it was a bit annoying.but otherwise pretty good. By the way, this made for TV movie was directed by James Darren. I had no idea he'd directed any shows or movies and perhaps he was chosen since he was a series regular on a cop show, 'TJ Hooker'. I checked and was surprised at how many TV shows Darren has directed.