Gladiator Sword Fighting Class Rome: Learn Ancient Combat

You fight other gladiators and lions, not just watch them in a museum.

A 2-hour gladiator sword fighting class at the Gladiator School of Rome, located on the Appian Way near the Colosseum, where you wear authentic costume and train with a wooden sword under instructors from the Historic Group of Rome. The class includes museum entry to see real gladiator weapons and artifacts, and you receive a certificate of accomplishment at the end. Friends and family can watch from a viewing platform, and an optional tournament with a prize is available if you want to compete.

The experience

If you have a free afternoon in Rome and want to do something beyond the usual museum circuit, this class puts you inside the training ground instead of looking at it from behind glass. You arrive at the Gladiator School of Rome near the Colosseum, get fitted with a traditional tunic, belt, leather gloves and a wooden training sword called a rudis, then spend two hours learning the basic techniques of gladiator combat. Your instructors are members of the Historic Group of Rome and teach in English, so the language is not a barrier.

The class itself is hands-on from the start. You learn the footwork and strikes that real gladiators used, then apply them by fighting off ferocious lions and battling other sword-wielding participants. If you want to test yourself further, you can enter an optional gladiator tournament complete with a prize for the winner. Either way, the day ends with a certificate of accomplishment and access to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum, where you see the actual weapons and artifacts that informed what you just trained with.

Friends and family are welcome to watch your class from a viewing platform, so if you are traveling with people who want to skip the sword fighting, they can still see what you are doing without paying for their own ticket. The school is accessible by public transportation and is wheelchair accessible, and children as young as six can participate. All fitness levels are welcome: the instructors scale the intensity to the group.

What’s included

• Gladiator costume including tunic, belt and leather gloves.
• wooden training sword (rudis).
• 2-hour instruction in sword fighting technique taught in English by members of the Historic Group of Rome.
• admission to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum with weapons and artifacts.
• certificate of accomplishment.
• optional tournament participation with prize for the winner.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Scuola Gladiatori Roma

Is this one for you?The school sits near the Colosseum on the Appian Way and is reachable by public transportation, so you do not need a car or a guide to get there. Book the time that fits your afternoon, show up in comfortable clothes, and the instructors handle the rest of the training and the costume.

Traveler reviews

4.70★★★★★★★★★★

1,589 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,274

4 ★212

3 ★59

2 ★23

1 ★21

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 6).

What do I actually wear during the gladiator class?

You wear a traditional Roman tunic, belt, and leather gloves provided by the school, plus you carry a wooden training sword called a rudis. The costume stays on for the full two hours of instruction and combat practice.

Can I watch if I don't want to fight?

Yes. Friends and family members can watch the class from a viewing platform without paying for a ticket or participating in the training.

Is there a tournament, or is it just practice?

The class includes basic sword fighting instruction and combat practice. An optional gladiator tournament is available if you want to compete for a prize, but it is not required.

What is included in the museum admission?

The Gladiator School of Rome Museum admission lets you see real gladiator weapons and other artifacts after your class ends, so you can connect what you just trained with to the actual historical objects.

What happens at the end of the class?

All participants receive a certificate of accomplishment, and you get access to the museum to view gladiator weapons and artifacts before you leave.