Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

The Trier Amphitheater arena is the site for gladiator fights and stunt shows Sept. 2-4 and 10-11 during the “Bread and Games” event in Trier. Thousands of visitors arrive annually to attend and see the Roman performances. Among this year’s highlights is a show called “Hercules and the Queen of the Amazons,” which tells the story of Greek hero who fought against the Amazons in the year 170 A.D. The performance offers gladiator fights and horse stunts. (Courtesy photo)

Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

The group Ars Dimicandi performs a show at a past “Bread and Games” event in Trier. Thousands of visitors are expected to arrive for this year’s events from Sept. 2-4. Among the highlights is a new show called “Hercules and the Queen of the Amazons,” which tells the story of Greek hero who fought against the Amazons in the year 170 A.D. The show offers gladiator fights and horse stunts, according to event organizers. (Courtesy photo)

Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

One highlight of “Bread and Games” is a dance performance featuring the myth and cult of the Amazons 8 p.m. Sept. 2-4 in the underground halls of the Imperial Baths. Most activities of the event will take place in four different locations throughout Trier, including the Porta Nigra, the Kaiserthermen Imperial Baths, the Amphitheater arena and the city’s Landesmuseum ,or state museum. (Courtesy photo)

Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

Historic workshops take place durng the “Bread and Games” event at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3-4 at the Trier Landesmuseum, or state museum. Under the motto “Trade and Transport,” visitors can see what Roman craftsmanship was like and how the Romans constructed roads, what their means of transportation were, and how they cultivated and grew wine along the Mosel. (Courtesy photo)

Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

About 35 members of Europe’s oldest Roman group, the Ermine Street Guard, will demonstrate military tactics and combat formations during the annual Roman “Bread and Games” event that takes place Sept. 2-4 and 10 in Trier. Activities include Roman battles, stunt shows, displays and other entertainment. (Courtesy photo)

Bread and Games: Gladiators battle at Trier's Roman Arena

Published Aug. 24, 2011
By Iris Reiff
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- "Bread and Games" takes place in Trier Sept. 2-4 and 10-11 and offers gladiator shows, historic fights, battles and stunts that date back to the Roman Empire.

Activities will take place in four different locations throughout Trier including the Porta Nigra, the Kaiserthermen Imperial Baths, the Amphitheater arena and the city's Landesmuseum, or state museum.

Among this year's highlights is a show called "Hercules and the Queen of the Amazons." It tells the story of a Greek hero who fought against the feared Amazons in the year 170 A.D. The show offers gladiator fights and horse stunts, according to event organizers.

On all three days of the event, visitors may experience Roman life at the Imperial Baths, learn from the legionnaires how the Romans used to live and play about 2,000 years ago at a Roman field camp, and see and touch Roman weaponry, works of a blacksmith or taste Roman foods.

For visitors who wish to learn more about the famous Roman pottery, workshops are scheduled throughout the event. Actors will be on hand to show how the Romans fished and built boats. About 35 members belonging to Europe's oldest Roman group, the Ermine Street Guard, will demonstrate military tactics and combat formations.

The Roman field camp opens at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 and at 11 a.m. Sept. 3-4. Children can learn what it takes to become a gladiator between noon and 6 p.m. Sept. 3-4. There is a small cost involved for attending the gladiator school in groups of 12 children.

As necessary, visitors may take a break at the Roman Lounge and enjoy music and beverages in the illuminated "old warm bath" lounge area, located within the Imperial Bath area. The Roman Lounge is open from 7 p.m. every day of the festival.

A dancing and show performance, featuring the myth and cult of the Amazons, takes place at 8 p.m. Sept. 2-4 in the underground halls of the Imperial Baths.

Historic workshops take place at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 3-4 at the Landesmuseum. Under the motto "Trade and Transport," visitors can see what Roman craftsmanship was like, how the Romans constructed roads, what their means of transportation were, and how they cultivated and grew wine along the Mosel.

There many different entry prices to the events offered at "Bread and Games."

Adult ticket price ranges between 16 and 22.50 Euro for attending the Hercules show and from 11 to 16 Euro for children, ages 6-13. Children up to age 5 get in for free. Reduced prices are available for families and combined tickets, if purchased in advance.
For additional ticket prices and details on the event, call the ticket reservation office at 0651-9790777, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 5 p.m. Credit cards are accepted, and staff members speak English.

For people who wish to reserve and pick up tickets now, visit the Scharff Reisebuero travel agency in Speicher, located on Jacobsstr. 19, 54662 Speicher or call 06562-96990. The staff members speak English. Opening times are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

All tickets are available at reduced pre-sale cost, if purchased in advance.