UK channel ITV2 merges the past and present with new show ‘Bromans’

ROME – JULY 09: A billboard advertising Roman antiquities stands in front of the Colosseum on July 9, 2009 in Rome, Italy. With nearly 3000 years of history Rome continues to live up to its motto of The Eternal City being one of the founding cities of Western Civilisation. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A new British reality series will turn a group of bros and their significant others into ancient Roman gladiators, which seems excessive.

No, you didn’t just cross over into the weird part of the internet. UK television channel ITV2, which based on a cursory glance at its show lineup seems like a very British version of MTV or Fuse, just announced its newest show Bromans.

You know what they say about being in Rome…

The show will follow eight couples as they live and battle like the true Romans of yesteryear (okay, a bit farther back than yesteryear).

Et Tu, Brote?

Although the show is following couples, the men take center stage as they are trained and forced to perform rigorous tasks, before ultimately fighting to the finish in a colosseum. The winner will take home the award of the unseen emperor’s gold, valued at £10,000 (around $12,495 USD).

As Executive Producer Ben Kelly said in a press release:

"“The Romans gave us roads, viaducts and basic sanitation but Bromans may prove to be their greatest legacy. Over 8 weeks our couples will train, live and carpe diem together, all the while battling to triumph at the Emperor’s Games. It is ancient Rome like you’ve never seen it before.”"

But lest you think this show will just be an excuse for a bunch of guys to fight and live like barbarians, Jezebel also notes that Bromans contestants will engage in other traditional Roman activities like sculpting and wine making. So far this seems to be a time traveler’s version of Big Brother and while I don’t necessarily know if I could ever see myself rushing home from work to catch the latest episode, a wine and pasta (hey, it is Rome after all)-filled marathon isn’t totally out of the question.

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Plus, who could pass up the chance to at least glance at a bunch of hot guys in loin cloths and sandals?