Airbnb’s plan to host ‘gladiator’ battles at Rome’s Colosseum leads to outrage

For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the ancient Roman Colosseum will host gladiator fights — albeit staged.

Under Wednesday’s $US1.5 million ($2.3 million) sponsorship deal with Airbnb, up to 32 people are being offered the opportunity to step inside the historic arena in May to “face off against your fellow warriors”.

The deal, which the short-term rental giant said aims to promote “a more conscious tourism”, will fund the renewal of an education program on the history of the ancient amphitheatre.

But Rome’s councillor for culture, Massimiliano Smeriglio, has criticised the plan, saying it encourages the “commodification” of culture.

“The news of the gladiatorial show inside the Colosseum leaves us perplexed,” Mr Smeriglio said in a statement on social media.

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre constructed by the ancient Romans.

Built in the 1st century, it was the centre of popular…