Guests who enter Rome's historic arena will dress in gladiator armor and "face off against your fellow warriors."

Airbnb is courting controversy through a deal announced earlier this week which will allow up to 16 lucky customers to travel to the Roman Colosseum and play gladiator. The property rental site is hoping to encourage “a more conscious tourism” through the $1.

"The Colosseum is a symbol of Rome’s past, not an amusement park," he said. Others see the partnership as a sign of growing corporate influence over cultural landmarks. Salvator

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’.

The event is part of the promotion for Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II', but locals fear it trivializes the monument's heritage.

From the Renaissance city of Florence to the Eternal City of Rome, government officials, and more importantly, the residents of these ancient, historical wonders, have protested against booking platform giants such as Airbnb buying up endless properties in their historic centers and Piazzas to turn a profit: offering tourists short-term and long-term stays in their properties while residents are pushed aside;