Directions 
Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum An exhibition that highlights the strength and courage of these legendary warriors
Discover the captivating daily life of gladiators and go behind the scenes of the world’s most glorious amphitheatre, the Colosseum in Rome.
Beyond the literary and cinematic lenses, what do we really know about the life of these legendary warriors?
The exhibition Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum takes you back in time and presents the true face of gladiators and their world in all its complexity.
A unique chance to get a glimpse of Ancient Rome.
An exhibition conceived and produced by Contemporanea Progetti and Expona, curated by Dr Rossella Rea, archaeologist and former director of the Rome’s Colosseum, in collaboration with Dr Federica Rinaldi (arco Archeologico del Colosseo, Rome), Dr Sara Colantonio and Dr Carlotta Caruso (Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome). Gladiators. Heroes of the Colosseum is presented at the Musée de la civilisation with the financial support of the Gouvernement du Québec and Ville de Québec under the Cultural Development Agreement.
The exhibition tour presents the rules defining the reality of gladiators whose life is bound to the Colosseum in Rome, a majestic amphitheatre entirely dedicated to the games.
Through objects from prestigious Italian museums, testimonies and recent excavations, find out more about:
- The historical context of the gladiator lifestyle and hunts
- Who were the gladiators and the humans behind the hero figures
- The ingenuity and skill needed for the conception of the Colosseum in Rome and take a peek behind the scenes
- The codes governing the games and life in the amphitheatre
- The arena, the coat of arms and the accessories of each type of gladiator.
Photo: Courtesy of the Italian Ministry of Culture, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
