Crackdown on gladiator impersonators in Rome!!

[AsahinaKimi]

In this Sunday, April 18, 2003 file photo, people dressed as Roman centurions march in front of Rome's Colosseum. Rome's policemen donned togas, capes and sandals in an undercover operation that broke an alleged ring of "gladiators" outside the Colosseum and other landmarks in the Italian capital. The 20 suspects are accused of assaulting and intimidating their competition, in order to be alone in the most sought-after tourist spots at the Colosseum, the Forum or the Vatican. Rome police said Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, that complaints alleging assault were filed against the suspects, who were not under arrest. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

ROME (AP) -- Undercover police have donned togas, capes and sandals to stop a turf battle among Italians who impersonate gladiators outside the Colosseum and other landmarks in Rome and make money by posing for camera carrying tourists.

The trade has been tolerated for years, but that was before about 20 of the practitioners began assaulting and intimidating their competitors to take over lucrative tourist spots such as the Colosseum, the Forum and the Vatican, officials and police said Friday.

So police decided to intervene disguised as gladiators, garbage collectors and tourists, but their operation at the ancient arena and the nearby Piazza Venezia wasn't easy.

On Wednesday, police impersonating gladiators were attacked when they told competitors to leave the scene, but police dressed as garbage collectors and tourists came to their rescue.

more..
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/odd/news/20110813p2g00m0dm063000c.html

Who would have thought in this day and age, this would be a problem?

[TlalocW]

1. Monty Python woman voice

BLOODY VIKINGS!

Oh... never mind.

TlalocW (Spam Spam Spam Spam)

[Historic NY]

2. Toga, toga, toga...........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwP1W4ej0Ko&feature=related

[MADem]

3. I'd love to see the RAI coverage of the gladiator in handcuffs!

The GOI are missing an opportunity here; they should license those guys, collect a little revenue. That will solve the problem.

[xchrom]

4. Sigh - Italian men dressed in togas - what were we talking about? Nt

[Kennah]

5. So they cwacked a Woaman Wegion?