The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights — albeit staged — for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb that aims to promote "a more conscious tourism.

Eight users of the Airbnb, along with their guests, will have the chance to participate in mock gladiator battles following the same underground route used by the original gladiators to reach the aren

Gladiator 2 sees Paul Mescal star as Lucius, son of Russell Crowe's Maximus. He's thrown into the arena to battle for his life under the tutelage of Denzel Washington's Macrinus, who has schemes of his own.