Not many chroniclers of the past can say they have worked with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and the Kardashians but Alexander Mariotti is no ordinary historian. Not only has he been a consultant for major Hollywood film sets and series, but he also takes stars and highly successful leaders for bespoke walks around Rome and London.
You might also recognise his face from the TV as he has appeared in fascinating documentaries on the History Channel and BBC. Regarded as one of the leading experts on gladiatorial combat, he recently completed work on an epic drama called ‘Those About to Die’ with Sir Anthony Hopkins, who plays Emperor Vespasian.
Alexander, who divides his time between London and Rome, has decorated his Italian home with artifacts from the films he has worked on and jokes that it resembles a miniature British Museum. In Britain, he arranges private excursions, talks, and lectures for British Museum visitors. He does the same in Rome, where he has become known as the ‘historian for the stars’.
Alexander started his gladiator guided tours for VIPs after being requested by Microsoft’s billionaire boss, Bill Gates, and his family to show them around the city. His love for Rome and its history spread quickly and, soon enough, celebrities like Cruise, the Kardashians, Dustin Hoffman, and Justin Bieber were all seeking his services in Rome.
Alexander has led a fascinating life, and he is still only in his mid-forties. Born in Scotland and raised between Africa and Rome, the Colosseum was his playground where he played football and at being a gladiator. He wanted to share his knowledge with a wider audience and became fixated on making documentaries after watching a programme about Robert the Bruce. He spent his summers working at the Louvre and Vatican museums. He eventually got back into documentaries and appears for the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery and the History Channel and was approached to consult on various blockbusters including the Gladiator sequel. He owns the world’s largest collection of items from films depicting Rome.
He said: “I tell stories in various ways, from documentaries to hosting shows, giving talks, and teaching. I’m unique because I can navigate these different worlds. I try make people fall in love with history and appreciate ancient culture. It’s essential to appeal to a broad audience today. The people who work in history and movies don’t tend to merge, but well I bridge both worlds. Walking on to a set is like stepping into a time machine. My memories of history are tangible, giving me an advantage over other historical advisors.”
A tour guide to the stars
Alexander added: “I began to design my own talks at the Colosseum in Rome. It allowed me the flexibility to work around my other obligations. I’m fortunate to be able to share my passion for history with others. What started as a lecture on gladiatorial combat evolved into an informal tour where I discussed various historical topics.
“I was astounded when Bill Gates and his family wanted to hire me to have some very interesting conversations about Da Vinci because, at the time, he had the largest collection of Da Vinci’s codexes. Because he had kids, I aimed the talks at them, and I had some wonderful conversations with his wife. The second time, they said, show us something that no one else gets to see. That was the challenge and they enjoyed it so much that they started sending others to see it too. Over time, it evolved into a word-of-mouth celebrity tour, and I have ended up with an impressive collection of photos of me with famous people.”
He recalls Cruise and the cast of the latest Mission Impossible films visiting and taking them to the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated and where Michelangelo once sat in conversation with the Pope. It was a poignant moment.
So, what is it they love about the tours? Alexander said: “History and art in Rome have the power to compel even the most famous people. Some people are hard to amaze because they have the financial resources to explore the world and experience things you and I have no access to. But in Rome, such individuals are left speechless by the tales behind the art, the history, and the views. There is a transfer of trust that occurs when people who are used to entertaining others and evoking emotions pass on their skills to you, hoping to be entertained and moved in return. This creates a reciprocal relationship.”
During her visit to Rome, Kourtney Kardashian tried an espresso for the very first time in a shop that was frequently visited by Alexander’s great grandfather. They had a conversation about culture, during which Kourtney showed her interest in ceramic plates created by Picasso. They decided to grab a coffee and Alexander shared the history of coffee with her, explaining how the Ottomans tried to spread Islam to Europe and gifted the Pope coffee from the Islamic world. The Pope almost banned coffee, but on tasting it, enjoyed it and blessed it for Christians to consume.
He continued: “I have had some very interesting and generous conversations with people because of these talks. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet fascinating people from all around the globe, including world leaders, intellectuals, and celebrities. These conversations are incredibly genuine, and they challenge me to think about things from a different perspective. In a way, it’s almost like they’re guiding me.
Jonathan Roumie, who portrayed Jesus in The Chosen, visited the tomb of the Apostles and had a spiritual experience at the site, while Hoffman, the star of the Graduate and Rain Man, was moved to tears by the Renaissance art Alexander showed him when he was researching for his role in Medici.
He said: “Dustin Hoffman is like a Cicero in many ways, he is someone I have watched in films with my grandparents, so to meet him was the most familiar feeling, which is odd because I’ve never met him before. He has gifted people around the world with hours, if not years, of entertainment. Through his performances, people have been moved, inspired, happy, and laughed. It is an incredible thing to be able to give that back to someone who has given so much to others. I can personally attest to Dustin’s wonderful, sensitive, and genuine nature. He was moved to tears by the beauty of the art and the story behind it, as well as by the history it represents. This was the most rewarding thing for me.”
Alexander also recalls how kind the celebrities were. Russell Crowe was genuinely touched by being gifted by original artefacts from the Gladiator film and adored meeting his young son. And he recalls spending New Year’s Eve with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, plus Kate Hudson’s little girl and his son playing together. Those are priceless moments.
A walk with a friend
He explained: “I design my tours to feel like taking a leisurely walk with a friend through the city. Imagine visiting a new place with a local friend who wants to show you all their favourite spots while telling you about the history and art they love. For a while, you’ll feel like a local too, forgetting that you’re from somewhere else.
“I always tell people that I’m their friend in Rome and London, I strive to make the experience personal and unique to their interests. It’s like a mini adventure that is never more than two and a half hours, just like a good movie. We don’t just see historical or artistic sites; we also visit local coffee and gelato shops. I like to surprise my guests. I’d like to take you to some unique places in Rome that aren’t part of the usual tourist route. We could grab an espresso at a quaint coffee shop that my great-grandfather used to visit or try some exotic gelato flavours at a local shop. I aim to surprise you with Rome’s hidden gems and take away any preconceptions you may have about the city.
“One of my favourite spots is a hidden viewpoint on one of Rome’s hills from where you can see the entire forum. Whether we visit it in the morning, at sunset, or at night, the view is always breath-taking. I prefer to do the tours early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are fewer chances of being recognised. Sometimes, high-profile clients have a lot of security with them, so I make sure everyone enjoys the experience.”
Alexander asserts that if you’re planning a trip to Rome, it’s essential to know that there’s more to the city than just the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. To truly appreciate Rome’s charm, you need to get lost in its side streets and alleys and explore its hidden gems. Whether you’re interested in Renaissance history, ancient history, medieval history, food, art, or gelato, Rome has something to offer for everyone.
He said: “My advice is to ignore popular recommendations and find your own way to witness the city’s beauty. Rome is a great mistress she can lure you in and make you think you belong. It is a magical, mysterious, and intoxicating city that never ceases to surprise you.
“If you’re visiting Rome, I recommend going in late September or early April when the city is less crowded. Also, don’t believe anyone who tells you they know the best gelato shop in Rome because there’s no such thing.”
Falling in love with Rome
Alexander added: “I fell in love with Roman history in three phases: childhood, twenties, and now in my mid-40s. My parents’ love of history, my grandfather’s stories, and classical mythology fascinated me as a child. In my twenties, I explored Rome, which holds a special place in my heart. Now, I still love Roman history and continue to explore it. Although I have lived in many different places, Rome has always held a special place in my heart. It is unlike any other place I have lived in, and it has always been magical to me.
“My mother is an artist, and my father an antique dealer for many years. Although he trained as a chemical engineer and followed that path for several years, he always had a passion for history and later dedicated himself to antiques. He used to say that ‘history is life’s teacher’, a phrase that intrigued me as a child.
“When I was younger, my brother and I used to play football in the Colosseum and my grandfather, who was born across the road from it, would always tell us stories about it. While other kids were fascinated by knights and castles, I was drawn to the world of Roman gladiators. I was an eighties child, and that was the era of films like Conan the Barbarian, He-Man, Superman, and Hercules. These were modern interpretations of classical mythology that reinvented an old idea. I believe that the timeless themes of strength, adventure, and magic captivate us all.
“Being half-British and half-Italian made me feel caught between two worlds in my teenage years. However, the Romans brought my worlds together and unified cultures worldwide. The Roman Empire’s success fuelled my passion and, as I get older, I realise that history is truly the teacher of life. History teaches us to ride the wave during tough times. Great figures of history are people like us with fears and desires. Julius Caesar’s life never turned out as he wanted, but he overcame his turbulent times. We can all do the same.
“For example, in Rome, my wallet got stolen on a bus. Stranded, I explored the city and found a familiar marble foot of the goddess Fortuna. Rubbing it brings good luck. It connected my Scottish bedroom to a random alley in Rome because my mother had gifted me a small copy of it years before. Fascinated by its history, I showed it to people and discovered hidden gems of Rome.
“Growing up, I was lucky to be raised in a family that placed a high value on history and took measures to preserve our family’s history. My great-grandfather was a composer from Sardinia who penned multiple books of poetry and music, which I inherited as I grew older. This experience made me realise that we all have a history that connects us, in one way or another. History is often presented to us as something that has no bearing on our lives, but that is not the case. It is an essential part of our existence.”
He continued: “Whenever I take people to see the Roman Forum, there’s a breath-taking view from the back of Capitoline Hill that overlooks the entire forum and the Colosseum from the distance of the palace of the emperors. It’s an awe-inspiring sight that leaves a profound effect on you. The scale is overwhelming, and it engages all your senses. It’s a unique experience that makes you think thoughts you’d never think. It’s similar to Egypt in that sense, but not quite the same.
“You get to see how advanced civilisation was, how big it was, but also how fragile it is because it no longer exists. It collapsed, and it’s almost like a warning.
“Our family’s history is intertwined with the cobbled streets of the past. The bricks we see today are the same ones our ancestors used hundreds of years ago. Our ancestral home in Italy has records dating back to the 1400s. Recently, we found my great-grandmother’s purses, which contained a ticket to a cinema, making her come to life. Through our family history, our great-grandparents become historical figures, connected to us even though we never met them.
“Finding something valuable makes you realise your place in the world. I want to create something that inspires people and connects them to their personal history. Discovering what my great-grandparents treasured has given me a deep appreciation for personal history. I hope to pass this on to future generations. When we leave something behind that becomes a part of history, we become a part of something greater than ourselves.”
This is why he is developing a history programme for school kids using Roman artefacts from his work in the movie industry. He has a safe helmet and a rubber sword replica to teach children about Roman history. One child on a trip was inspired to study history at university after the tour.
What’s coming out next?
He told me: “I had the pleasure of working as the lead historian, on a BBC documentary called Ancient Powers that recently launched in China. I also worked on documentaries about ‘The Chosen,’ a successful faith-based series about Jesus. For this series, I took some of the actors to visit religious sites and gave them little details of that period of history. I’m also creating videos for a series about Great Empires, focusing on Caesar, Cleopatra, and Alexander the Great.”
Find out more about Alexander at alexandermariotti.com.
All imagery supplied by: Alexander Mariotti
