Remember the moment in the movie Gladiator when Maximus (aka Russell Crowe) commands his fellow combantants by saying, “At my signal, unleash hell!”? If you feel subject to the powers of the underworld every time you venture into a crowded shop or mall this holiday season, then eCool is here to help!
Today we bring you the Gladiator Gift Guide! Are you not entertained?!
Here’s the top 12 things that every modern gladiator (or Colosseum lover) is wishing for this holiday season:
1) The Colosseum Board Game by Days of Wonder. As commanded by the Emperor, Rome is in the midst of a 100 day celebration commemorating the opening of the greatest public arena ever conceived by man – the Colosseum. Earn wealth and glory as one of Rome’s greatest impresarios by producing grand spectacles in the hopes of attracting the most spectators to your events. Great for ages 10 and up.
2) Gladiator. Three Disc Extended Edition. Best swords-and-sandals flick ever. Set in Roman times a banished general fights his way back as a gladiator. The only power stronger than the emperor is the greatest hero in all the empire.
3) Gladiator Nutcracker. Hand-carved and hand-painted. Traditional holiday nutcrackers are soooo boring in comparison.
4) The Colosseum by Keith Hopkins and Mary Beard. Part of the Wonders of the World series published by Harvard University Press. Great for the smart traveler who wants to know more than the average guidebook tells.
5) Gladiatrix Costume. We’re always partial to dressing up here at eCool and we can’t imagine why the gladiatrix in your life wouldn’t think this outfit worth fighting for.
6) Colosseum. Road to Freedom. For Play Station 2. Takes you to the time after Caesar’s death and follows the life of a gladiator in those trying times. Travel back in time to the height of the Roman Empire circa 190 AD, to see the brutal reality of life-and-death fights in the Colosseum. Narcissus the Gladiator saw his village burnt to ashes by Roman soldiers. On his quest for revenge, he is captured and sent to the arena, to entertain the Roman citizens by shedding blood. Win over the crowd, impress them with your skills and stay alive — and you might just earn your freedom. Survive massive multi-person battles where up to 20 men fight for their lives Manage your money wisely — you will have to pay for your own medical expenses and equipment.
7) Colosseum Planter. Think of it as your very own romantic overgrown ruin and you’ll start wanting one too.
8) Make Your Own Colosseum Kit. Calling all amateur architects! Experience the fun, excitement, and pride of building your own amphitheater brick by brick! Mix the special mortar in the mini-sized wheelbarrow, then follow the step-by-step instructions for building this spectacular structure with real kiln-fired bricks!
9) Playmobil Gladiator. Cute. So very cute. If you want to spend big, spring for the Playmobil Arena so the gladiator has a place to fight.
10) Spartacus. The rebellious slave Spartacus (played by Kirk Douglas) leads a freedom revolt against the decadent Roman Empire in one of the best of Hollywood’s grand historical epics.
11) Victory Wreath. The winner takes all.
12) Colosseum Bookends. Add a bit of grandeur to your library and remember that “while stands the Colosseum, Rome shall stand; when falls the Colosseum, Rome shall fall; and when Rome falls – the World.”
