BY RACHEL B. DOYLE, PHOTOS BY JÖRG KOOPMANN

The 20 young German applicants took things very seriously.

In ancient times, gladiators were “controlled” by wearing ten-pound-heavy helmets that restricted their vision.

In true Roman style, the proceedings begin with a lot of pomp. Extras dressed in full centurion gear look like peacocks in their red capes and plumed helmets next to the stripped-down fighters.

“That horse-drawn chariot’s got no suspension. It shakes like crazy,” says the man in charge of the chariot race, who is also pictured here in the chariot. He’s equally circumspect about his armour-and-skirt centurion’s outfit: “Hot from above, cold from below.”

While most of the extras were dressed as centurions, some came as regular Roman citizens.

Benedikt hopes to win hearts and minds with his trident and net combo.

The chariots are pulled by Shetland ponies. Steered by a husband and wife team, the ponies run surprisingly fast during their two chariot races.

The gladiators get ready in the backstage area— a circle of hay bales.

The crowd at the racetrack observing the contest as it unfolds before them. “We’re mainly here to see the horses,” says one spectator.

The money for the project comes from Hans Schaller, 59, who sold his oil company a few years ago and now spends his time pursuing his hobby of Roman historical reenactments. An entire floor of his house is dedicated to Roman costumes. Schaller says his favourite part of organising his own battalion of gladiators is “racing them!”. OK!

There’s a lot of male bonding—not just fist bumps and high fives, but bear hugs and fellow gladiators being lifted off the ground. Bromance abounds.

The winner Johannes on his victory lap.