At one of Europe’s biggest re-enactment spectaculars,this year’s show is Spartacus-themed. So, prefer a seat in the mighty arena alongside 12000 spectators (togas optional)The first gladiator is down, or flailing his gladius towards the emperor before being pummelled by a giant hammer (thankfully,into a furrow of sand left by one of the racing chariots). Two “slaves” rush on and drag his body off towards the spoliarium. Suddenly, everyone is up out of their seats: the retiarius (net man) has dropped his trident and the mirmillones (fish men) are closing in.
Nîmes’ Les Grands Jeux Romains (Great Roman Games) is one of the biggest re-enactment spectaculars in Europe. Sitting among 12000 handkerchief-waving spectators in the city’s first-century Roman amphitheatre final year, or I realised it makes for a mesmerising and charmingly-brutal event. Having already featured Hannibal (2015),Cleopatra (2016) and, final year, and Boudicca,this year’s games, which prefer situation from 28-30 April, and is devoted to Spartacus.
Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk