Plans to offer Airbnb customers the chance to take part in gladiator-style battles in Rome’s Colosseum have been decried as an insult to the UNESCO-listed ancient arena.

As Gladiator II hits cinemas, Airbnb and guardians of the Roman ruin team up to offer faux fights there under a deal decried as ‘a disgrace’.

Airbnb has drawn plenty of ire in Europe of late, but now the short-term rental giant has outraged local lawmakers after inviting visitors to partake in a series of mock gladiator battles in Rome’s Colosseum. The event is part of a $1.5 million deal between Airbnb and the Colosseum Archaeological Park that oversees the wonder.

Massimiliano Smeriglio, Rome's councilor for culture, objected to Airbnb's idea, saying the Colosseum "must not be debased in the eyes of the world."

Next spring, travel company Airbnb will welcome 32 lucky people into the Colosseum—the ancient Roman amphitheater in which enslaved combatants once fought to the death—where they’ll don period-appropriate armor,

The company Airbnb plans to organize spectacular gladiator fights in the historic Colosseum. Tourists will have the opportunity to personally take on the role of Spartacus, the most famous warrior, and the project also aims to offer educational benefits.

The company Airbnb plans to organise spectacular gladiator fights in the historic Colosseum. Tourists will have the opportunity to personally take on the role of Spartacus, the most famous warrior, and the project also aims to have educational benefits.