April 21, 753 BC and we are still having a party. Welcome to the rank and file– legions, emperors, entertainers and barbarians as they marched through the city to celebrate the Natale di Roma (founding of Rome).

The third week of April, Rome commemorates its ancient founding and the Eternal City’s birthday is never a bore, thanks to Gruppo Storico Romano, an Ancient Rome cultural association of gladiators, centurions and more who lead a historical procession through the city to celebrate the Natale di Roma.

Gruppo Storico Romano is Rome’s premier combat gladiator school and for nearly two decades, the group has organized Rome’s city-wide birthday celebration, inviting centurions, emperors, barbarians, gladiators, legions and vestal virgins from across Italy and Europe (as close as Spain, as far as Georgia and Poland) to take part in the annual Natale di Roma parade and participate in re-enactments at the Circus Maximus.

Fully geared legions, show-stopping barbarians and more come together to celebrate the Empire with well-orchestrated marches and combat performances.