Archeos Roman Armour was the organization at the heart of the exhibition. The majority of the pieces were reconstructed using the techniques of the period and with rigorous archaeological detail. Although, as ever, Rome gets all the glory, there were important items based on Greek and Etruscan design leading up to Imperial Gallic helmets and bronzes. 'Montefortino bronze' if you want to find out more via Wikipedia.

Although it is always a thrill to see the real thing, perhaps the complexity and skills of the original artisans can only be appreciated by non experts through such reconstructions. These were real war machines and the height of technology at the time.

Interesting to learn that the ancient Romans were clever enough to adopt many techniques from the enemy, refining them in flexibility and form to make them all the more unbeatable.

The exhibition also took a look at 20th century cinema's contribution to our visual record of ancient soldiers' battle wear. An interesting contrast and proposed by Italo Tomassi who worked on both the films Ben Hur and Cleopatra at Cinecittà.

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In 2002 an exhibition was held in the bowels of the Colosseum itself. It was dedicated to the brave and hopeless who fought and died there; the Gladiators. The exhibition was also made accessible for disabled visitors thanks to the installation of a lift on the east side of the arena. The last time such a device was used there was to deposit wild animals for the thrill of the mob.

In 59 BC a massive fight broke out outside the ampitheater of Pompei. Stone throwing, knifings and general vandalism was attributed to 'tifosi' from Nocera Inferiore who had come to see their man. They were banned from attending all games for 10 years. The event is recorded in a fresco inside the exhibition. What they had to do to be consigned to the lions is anyone's guess.

The organizers described the exhibition as 'un’avventura sospesa fra l’archeologia classica e la bruciante attualità'. In other words, the brutality of the arena is not spared. There were three sections to visit.

One depicted the site of the arena before its construction and the events leading up to its inauguration in 80BC. The second was dedicated to the ampitheaters of Campania, while the last to the combatants (original) arms, clothes and the spectacle itself. A follow up exhibition was held in 2003. Called 'Nike' it profiles the wider role of sport in ancient times.

Beatle's fans will also probably know that May 2003 saw Paul McCartney play inside the Colosseum. One of a very few events that have reanimated the 'mother of all stadiums' since ancient times. With true scouse wit Macca commented: 'We're the best band to play here since the Christians!'

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