The traditional Roman Days programme will take place in Vinkovci from 14 to 16 June, and this year's 11th edition will be dedicated to sportspeople, ahead of the European Football Championship.
According to the director of the Vinkovci museum, Hrvoje Vulić, gladiators were originally supposed to be at the centre of the main theme because they were the sports stars of the Roman era, the equivalent of modern football players.
However, he added, once the topic and date were defined just in time for the European Football Championship, the programme was changed so that, in addition to gladiators, Roman ball sports would be presented.
Modern football is rooted in two games which had been played in Rome and Greece.
Episkyros is a Greek game that was played with the hands and it was necessary to pass the ball over the opponent into the outer field. Each team had 12 or 14 members, and the game was extremely violent, similar to rugby or American football. The Roman version was called Harpastum, and the aim was to prevent the opponent from passing the ball to their half of the field, all tackles were allowed, and many authors describe the game as extremely attractive, but dangerous and violent, said Vulić.
Martina Matković, the director of the Tourism Board of the City of Vinkovci, told the press conference that the interest of local and national associations and societies in the Roman Days was increasing.
(Hina)
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