Tourists gather at Rome’s Colosseum, Friday Nov. 7, 2014. An archaeologist’s proposal to return the Colosseum’s storied arena to its original state, when gladiators sparred with lion, has sparked a lively debate over appropriate uses of the monument that
Tourists gather at Rome’s Colosseum, Friday Nov. 7, 2014. Alessandra Tarantino, Associated Press
Herb Scribner
By Herb Scribner

An Irish tourist tried to carve his initials into the side of Rome’s Colosseum before authorities caught him in the act.

What’s going on:

Carabinieri police said a 32-year-old man was spotted carving his initials into the legendary Italian structure.

  • The man’s initials were reportedly carved into a pillar on the floor of the Colosseum.
  • He has been accused of damaging a historical and artistic landmark. He could face a penalty of at least 2,065 euros ($2,400), according to CNN.
  • “The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations,” archaeologist Federica Rinaldi, who is responsible for the spot, told CNN.
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Not the first time

According to Fox News, a Polish man crashed a drone inside of the Colosseum after he was told it was a no-fly zone.

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The Colosseum is, after all, a structure that dates back to A.D. 80. It used to hold close to 50,000 spectators, who would watch battles and entertainment from within.

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