Lectures

4.December 2025, 6 p.m.
The gladiatorial venues in the Roman Empire - architecture and function
Dr Rüdiger Gogräfe, Institute for Building Research and Documentation (IBD) in Marburg

Using selected examples, an overview of various gladiatorial venues in the Roman Empire is given. The development from the simple republican amphitheatres of Italy to the more technically advanced ones of the imperial period will be outlined, illustrated by the authoritative Colosseum in Rome. The lecture is rounded off with a look at other theatres in various provinces, which illustrate the different regional and cultural characteristics of their regions.
No registration necessary, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).

22 January 2026, 6 p.m.
Gladiatorum Paria. Types, equipment and fencing styles of gladiators. Research and experiment
Dr Marcus Junkelmann, military historian, experimental archaeologist and author

For a long time, there was great confusion about the who's who of gladiator genres. On the basis of written sources and pictorial representations as well as the study of surviving original weapons, Marcus Junkelmann was able to clarify the situation in a lengthy puzzle game and through experimental testing. This much can be revealed: What can be seen in feature films has very little to do with the "real" past. As part of the lecture, reconstructions will be shown on site, which can also be touched.
No registration necessary, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).

19 February 2026, 6 p.m.
Life and death in the city's amphitheatre Augusta Treverorum (Trier)
Dr Karl-Uwe Mahler, Head of Staff Unit Roman Buildings / UNESCO World Heritage Trier, Directorate Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier

The amphitheatre and city wall marked the end of the major expansion phase of Roman Trier in the 2nd century A.D. It was not until over 100 years later, when the city became the residence of the Roman emperors, that further large-scale buildings were constructed. For centuries, the amphitheatre remained an important urban attraction with its games, where many an inhabitant of Augusta Treverorum spent a lot of time. Archaeological finds and features shed light on various aspects of its use.
No registration necessary, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).

19 March 2026, 6 p.m.
Fit for the arena. Training, nutrition and medical care for gladiators
Dr Marcus Junkelmann, military historian, experimental archaeologist and author

The ludus gladiatorius was both a barracks and a training centre where the future arena fighters were trained under the guidance of veterans. The lecture deals with the gladiators' training, nutrition and medical care, but also with their ethos, their careers and finally their private lives. Quite a few gladiators had wives and children. Tastings of typical gladiatorial dishes are offered on site.
No registration necessary, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).


Guided tours

Guided tours for groups with our guide pool
One-hour guided tour of the special exhibition for groups of eight or more (up to 20) people, bookable onrequest at: buchung@archaeologie.bayern (also available in English and Italian!); costs: weekdays Euro 85 (German) or 95 (foreign language), weekends/public holidays Euro 95 or 105 plus admission.

Guided tours by conservators for individual visitors
One-hour guided tour of the special exhibition with conservators from the Archaeological State Collection, bookable at:buchung@archaeologie.bayern (only in German!); cost: Euro 6 plus admission.
Dates: Tuesdays, 25 November/27 January/03/03/07 April (Dr Harald Schulze); Wednesdays (Dr Bernd Steidl), 10 December/14 January/04 February/18 March/22 April, each at 3 p.m.

Sunday tours for individual guests with the Munich Adult Education Centre (MVHS)
Overview tour of the permanent exhibition with additional insight into the special exhibition, bookable via the MVHS (MVHS im Museum, V212150). Meeting point: museum foyer.
Dates: Sundays at 2 pm (from 23 November 2025)

Inclusive guided tours in simple language (with the MPZ)
The special exhibition is explained in simple language. The one-hour programme is aimed at adults. Costs: none; booking under: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de;
Dates: 9 January/13 February/13 March, each at 3 pm. Can also be booked for groups on other dates on request.

Telephone tours
The telephone tours of the "Bei Anruf Kultur" programme offer a new kind of access to cultural offerings and also enable people with disabilities to participate. A cultural mediator guides you live through the exhibition for about an hour and describes the visual content. It is possible to listen, ask questions and exchange ideas. All that is required to take part is a working telephone and prior registration for the respective event. Booking and further information via: www.beianrufkultur.de/programm; Costs: none;
Dates: 05.02. 16.30; 16.04. 16.00.

Children's tour in Italian (for children aged 5-11)
Who were the gladiators, the stars of the amphitheatre in ancient Rome? Where does the term gladiator come from? Why were some of them called Thracians or Gauls? What was the rudis and why was it so valuable to a gladiator? Children and their parents get to know the special exhibition in a playful way on a guided tour in Italian. Dates: 30.11.2025/18.01./01.03./26.04.2026, 10.30 am each day
Bookable via: archaeomidi@gmail.com

Notes on the guided tours: Meeting point in the museum foyer or at the museum ticket office


Workshops & readings

Family Sundays (for families with children aged 5-12)
Together we will immerse ourselves in the world of gladiators and ancient Rome. We will find out how gladiators were trained, what their lives were like and whether death really was always the end of the fight. After a guided tour, you can choose to lay mosaics, emboss victory signs for victorious gladiators or make gladiator figurines in the workshop. Booking under: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de;material costs: € 3-5; meeting point: museum workshop;
Dates: 14.12., 11.1., 15.2, 15.3., 19.4., each 2-4 p.m.

Basic boxing training with a BOXWERK coach - for superheroes (aged 16 and over)
Boxing basics such as footwork, arm-leg coordination and basic punches are taught in a playful way. A coach from the BOXWERK-GYM will show you your first moves and tricks and give you a little insight into the sport of boxing. Please bring comfortable clothing and trainers with light-coloured soles! Booking via (max. 20 participants): buchung@archaeologie.bayern; Costs: Euro 4,-; Location: Forum (ground floor). Dates:29.01./26.02. (ladies only)/26.03.2026, each at 5 p.m.

The Gladiator on Film - a cooperation with the Neues Maxim Kino
Three evenings, three films. Together with curators from the State Archaeological Collection, we travel to Hollywood and explore the question of how much history there really is in films about gladiators. Tickets available at the cinema - exhibition visitors (of the same month) receive a discount of one euro on the cinema ticket! Venue: Neus Maxim Kino, Landshuter Allee 33, 80637 Munich

Spartacus (Stanley Kubrick, 1960) - 18 December 2025, 7 pm
Spartacus, a Thracian slave, is trained in a gladiator school but breaks out and leads a massive slave revolt against Rome. He wins victories with a growing army, but is eventually defeated militarily and taken prisoner. Instead of betraying his followers, he dies a martyr's death on the cross, while his vision of freedom lives on. With introduction by curator Dr Harald Schulze.

Gladiator I (Ridley Scott, 2000) - 29 January 2026, 7.30 pm
In ancient Rome, the victorious General Maximus is betrayed by the power-hungry Commodus, his family is murdered and he himself is enslaved. As a gladiator, he fights his way through the arenas, driven by the desire for revenge and justice. In the final duel in the Colosseum, he defeats Commodus and dies, but finds peace in the afterlife with his family. With introduction by curator Dr Bernd Steidl.

Gladiator II (Ridley Scott, 2024) - 5 February 2026, 7.30 pm
Lucius, the secret son of Maximus, is captured in Numidia 16 years after the events of the first part and brought to Rome as a gladiator, where he seeks revenge in the arena. He realises his true origins when Lucilla reveals herself to him and rises up against the tyrannical emperors Geta and Caracalla as well as the scheming Macrinus. In the final duel, Lucius defeats Macrinus, unites the Roman troops and sets out to follow the dream of a more just Rome. With introduction by the curator Dr Bernd Steidl.

23 November 2025, 3 p.m.
Live gladiator fight
Professional gladiator fights were not wild carnage, but duels between precisely defined specialists that took place to the accompaniment of music and were precisely planned. The aim was to maximise equality of opportunity. Visitors can now experience live how the whole thing took place. The military historian, experimental archaeologist and author Marcus Junkelmann comments on the battle, which is fought by experienced re-enactment fighters. Both the way the armour was worn and the fighting technique will be demonstrated. There will also be an opportunity to pick up pieces of armour yourself. With Marcus Junkelmann.
Costs: none; no registration required, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).

30 November 2025, 10 am - 1 pm
Spectacle of Gladiatorial Combat - Heroes and Heroines of the Colosseum (from 6-12 years, with accompanying adult), family workshop

Together we will explore the question of what it meant to take part in such spectacular competitions in the special exhibition. Who was trained to become a gladiator or even a female gladiator? How were they prepared, was there special power food for the fighters? In the museum workshop, we work together to create small play objects that were part of everyday Roman life. Please bring along: Scraps of leather (at least approx. 20 cm by 20 cm or larger), scissors. Details and booking via MVHS (V214040); costs: adults Euro 13, children Euro 10 plus museum admission; materials Euro 1-3 as required. Meeting point: foyer.

25 January 2026, 3 p.m.
Storyteller Katharina Ritter as a guest (from 6 years)
Ovidreloaded - stories of winning and losing
There was a suitable deity for almost every occasion in ancient Rome - and Ovid wrote a lot about it! Which deity did the gladiators invoke before entering the arena? Fortuna, Hercules or the goddess of victory Victoria? Katharina Ritter tells the story in an interactive and exciting way - for the whole family. Please bring curiosity and open ears! No registration required, limited places on site; duration: approx. 1 hour; costs: Euro 7,- for adults, Euro 3,- for children plus admission. Venue: Forum (ground floor).

8 February 2026, 3 p.m.
Reading with soundscape: "Fred in Ancient Rome" with author Birge Tetzner (ages 10+)
On the night train to Rome! As soon as they arrive, Fred and Grandpa Alfred set off in the footsteps of the ancient Romans. The tour begins at the Roman Forum. For centuries, this square was the centre of the world. In the Colosseum, building researcher Flavia takes them behind the scenes into the basement. Suddenly Fred hears wild cats hissing and bears roaring. That's when Fred realises he has landed in ancient Rome! He becomes the Medicus' assistant and even moves into the gladiator school.
Cost: € 5 adults, € 1 children; no registration required, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).

15 February 2026, 11a.m.
Civil courage workshopwith Zivilcourage für ALLE e.V. (from 14 years)
Civil courage in everyday life means small steps instead of heroic deeds - you see an emergency situation and want to help, but don't dare. You want to intervene and behave appropriately, but don't really know how. In this two-hour workshop, participants are given initial ideas on how to recognise and assess emergency situations so that they can then act competently - without putting themselves in danger. The interactive workshop offers space for impulses from psychology and invites discussion, exchange and experimentation.
Booking via: buchung@archaeologie.bayern; Location: Forum (ground floor).

8March 2026, 3 p.m.
Live gladiatorial combat with Amor Mortis
The aim of the gladiator school Amor Mortis is to bring the fascinating world of volunteer gladiators around the year 79 AD to life. The group is dedicated to researching and learning the fighting styles of the Roman Empire and also offers museum guests a unique opportunity to experience history at first hand. Support the heroes of the arena and cheer them on! Costs: none; no registration required, limited places on site; location: Forum (ground floor).


Offers for teachers & school classes with the Museum Education Centre (MPZ)
School class offers (suitable for GS from grade 3, MS, RS, GYM, BS)

A joint tour of the special exhibition is followed by a practical part: playing Roman games (at no extra cost) or making gladiator memorabilia (laying mosaics, stamping victory signs for victorious gladiators, making gladiator figures; material costs Euro 3-5); duration: 120 minutes; cost: Euro 100 plus material fee; booking: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de; location: museum workshop.

Teacher training
In combination with the new permanent exhibition, the special exhibition is the ideal complement. Various topics are discussed. The focus is on the gladiators in Rome and the comparison with the conditions in the province of Raetia. The training programme includes a 120-minute guided tour including an insight into the practical activities on offer. Costs: none. Bookable on request at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de

Children's birthday party at the museum! With the Museum Education Centre (MPZ)
Guided tour plus workshop "Gladiators of Rome" - for birthday children from 5 to 12 years; costs: from Euro 130 plus material costs Euro 3-5. Duration: 60 minutes guided tour plus 60 minutes workshop (optional: Laying mosaics, embossing victory signs for victorious gladiators, making gladiator figures); meeting point: museum workshop); registration at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9am-3pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de;booking at: 089 9541152-20, -21 or -22 (Mon-Thu: 9 am - 3 pm) or buchung@mpz-bayern.de


Highlights from the everyday cuisine of the gladiators
Our museum catering SOLÂ offers monthly changing dishes from the everyday cuisine of the gladiators. Be curious!

You will soon be able to download the entire programme here.