Josef Löffl

Josef Löffl, 30, is a research fellow at the department of ancient history at the University of Regensburg, Germany. He studied history (ancient and medieval history), as well as archaeology and Latin at the University of Regensburg (2000-2006). He is an expert and an enthusiast of Roman military costume and has undertaken many journeys using authentic Roman military equipment. These journeys include:

Crossing the Alps in 2004 using the equipment of Roman soldiers from the late 2nd century AD

A trip with a Late Roman Galley from Regensburg to Budapest on the the Danube River in 2006.

A 585km-march in 2008 from Carnuntum to Regensburg using the equipment of a Roman legionary from the 3rd century AD

Josef Löffl's PhD-Thesis in 2007-2009 (done in Regensburg and Vienna) was on the economics of the Roman army. It won an award from the Elite Network of Bavaria.

His work as a research fellow is a gladiatorial experiment where 20 students are being trained over a period of six months to fight like gladiators. Löffl is also writing a book about the climatic situation in the late antiquity.

Articles and blog posts related to Josef Löffl

Roman Gladiator Summer School: Can 20 Students Learn to Fight Like Spartacus?

by bija

A group of students are learning to live and fight like Roman gladiators - but will they survive six months of tough physical training and a strict gladiatorial diet?