Angry 'gladiators' climb Colosseum in Rome protest

[April 09, 2012]  ROME (AP) -- Several Romans dressed as gladiators have climbed the Colosseum to protest a crackdown on their unauthorized business of posing with tourists for money.

Saturday's protest came three days after city police fined the fake gladiators for offering paid services without authorization. They also were ordered to stop their paid posing.

Culture officials contend the fake gladiators ruin the decorum at the ancient archaeological site.

Some tourists gladly pose for a photo, then are dismayed when the costumed men demand money. The fake gladiators insist they perform a popular service and that their costumes evoke the atmosphere of ancient Rome.

[Associated Press]

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