Rome's Gladiators: Fake Centurions, Fines and Real Shows

In front of the Colosseum, men in cardboard armour pose with tourists and ask for money: these are Rome's "centurions", and the scam is one of the city's best known. They are street performers, rarely true gladiators (a centurion commanded legionaries, not arena fights). This guide explains how to avoid the bad surprise, what the rules say, and where to see real gladiators: reenactment schools, historical festivals and tours of the underground chambers. The rules on costumed performers change with each city ordinance, so read what follows as a snapshot, not a guarantee.

The fake centurions of the Colosseum: how it works

Around the Colosseum square, the Arch of Constantine and the metro exit, performers dressed as legionaries or gladiators offer to pose with you. The classic trap: the photo is presented as free, then the performer asks for money as you leave, often per person and per camera. The price is never displayed and the discussion quickly turns pushy, especially with a group or children.

The Colosseum, surrounded by crowds of tourists

As elsewhere in the centre, these performers are not thieves, but social pressure makes people pay more than planned. Our guide to scams to avoid in Rome gives the full picture.

What to do if a performer approaches you

Say no before you step closer: a clear "no, grazie" is usually enough. Don't let anyone put a helmet or a shield in your hands for the photo.
Ask the price before the photo, not after: if the performer won't say, walk on.
Don't pull out a wad of cash: keep small change apart, and pay a price agreed in advance if you accept.
With children, explain before you arrive that the photo isn't free and that it's fine to say no.
A performer who follows you or blocks your way: move towards the municipal police officers who are usually around the Colosseum.

Fines and rules: what we know

For several years the City of Rome has tried to regulate these performers. Ordinances have banned posing in costume near the major monuments and set fines of several hundred euros for the performers (€400 in a 2017 ordinance, which also led to costumes being seized). These measures were challenged before the administrative courts and the situation has varied since: depending on the period, performers have been allowed back under conditions, or pushed away again. There is no simple rule to remember. For visitors the consequence is mostly practical: the fine targets the performer, not the tourist, but you don't want to be caught in the middle of an inspection. See also the rules of Rome's historic centre, which cover other bans near monuments.

Real gladiators: schools and reenactments

If your children (or you) dream of gladiators, go through a real organisation:

The Gruppo Storico Romano gladiator school, on the Via Appia Antica (no. 18): about two hours of introduction in a tunic with training weapons, from age 6, booked in advance. Details in our guide to Rome with children.
Natale di Roma, 21 April: a procession of performers dressed as legionaries and gladiators, rites and reenactments around the Circus Maximus and the Imperial Forums. See Natale di Roma.
Combat shows are occasionally staged around the Via Appia and in some venues in the city: check the organiser's website and book online rather than in the street.

See the real arena of the Colosseum

To understand what the fights were like, nothing beats the monument itself. The standard ticket lets you see the tiers and the upper level; the "arena" and "underground" options give access to the amphitheatre floor and the corridors where gladiators and animals waited. These tickets sell out fast and must be booked in advance: see tickets to book in Rome and the Colosseum page for the current offers on the official site.

In short

A photo with a "centurion" is a small purchase, not a gift: agree the price first. For the real thing, book a school, a historical festival or the underground tour.