So today was the eagerly awaited gladiator training. Not sure if there are other "schools" in Rome but we got a good feeling about these as they are a bunch of people who do re-enactments and use this as an income source to fund big events such as a march they do in Rome on 21st April each year. TripAdvisor had mixed reviews, some based on the fact that this was not in the center of Rome and a little tricky to get to down a bumpy track. Rome2Rio said it would take 1/2 hour so we allowed 1 1/2 hours to be sure. Walked to the station, found the right bus, tracked our progress on google maps, negotiated with school kids to help us get off the bus at the right time, and then walked to the school. We arrived with 15 minutes to spare!
On arrival we paid the balance of the 135 Euros for 2 kids to do the "training". We were then taken to the Museum by Julio who was extremely knowledgeable. After about 15 minutes another family arrived to join us and the learning continued. We learned about how the Romans conquered surrounding countries despite being severely outnumbered, largely due to the fact that they were the only professional army at the time, and the fact that they were generally healthy due to good sanitary conditions. We were shown weapons, allowed to try on helmets, and generally given an excellent grounding in Roman history!
Once the museum tour was over we were taken outside where the kids were given tunics to wear.
First off was circuit training. Click here for video.
Next up was practicing some techniques.
And finally some fighting!
Before finally being awarded certificates.
After all that the kids were so exhausted they just wanted to go back to the apartment so we grabbed some groceries and had sandwiches back at the flat.
After a couple of hours rest we headed back out, walking to the Spanish Steps.
We then went back towards the Trevi Fountain again to find a prosciutteria? recommended on TripAdvisor. It was tiny but great fun. Kind of like The Company Shed for meat but with the ability to by beer and wine too! Help yourself to water, plastic plates and cutlery and they will bring wine and a wooden slab filled with food.
Three of us thought it was fantastic but Esmé wasn't too impressed.... wasn't even that sure about the bread despite this being a usual favourite. Despite this she tried so much new food we promised her a big Gelato by the Trevi Fountain before we returned to the apartment!
All in all a lovely day but my legs are starting to ache. Vatican tomorrow!
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