And the centurions don't like what they've heard.
If you've been fortunate enough to travel through Rome, you've seen the annoying centurion characters who harass one and all. They bombard you with an offer to take a picture together, and if you're fool enough to go along, they'll demand money after the picture's snapped.
The fact is, this so-called occupation has been around for quite some time, and the Italian government has done nothing about it. That army of uniformed men of the Guardia di Finanza never bothered them, perhaps in the belief that the red-caped ones were real centurions and were therefore both fearless and dangerous.
Italy is so broke there's a fear the nation will go bankrupt, and someone finally noticed that there's an untapped source of tax revenue, right out in front of the Coliseum.So it's now pay up or get out, follow some rules or go home.
The centurions have begun to protest, and the police have been called in to evict the law-breakers.
What the centurions claim is a right to work is being attacked by the government that not only wants the taxes due, but wants to place restrictions on the centurions. There should be only authentic uniform replicas, and no more running shoes in place of sandals or sweatpants under the toga in winter. If you want to play a centurion, you have to be serious about it.
The Populus Romani have taken the centurions' side, but it's largely because they're sick of the endless regulations on their lives and this is one they that they can voice their displeasure with the government.
All across Europe, the financial party has come to an end. The money's gone, but the people still demand bread and circuses. What's a government to do except find more money to keep the bread and circuses coming?
Roma locuta est. Causa finita est.
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