Two tourists were caught breaking into Rome's Colosseum to enjoy a beer, defying the ancient landmark's security.

In Ancient Rome, sneaking into the Colosseum without a ticket could mean facing off against wild animals or battling gladiators in the arena.

Fast forward to 2021, and breaking into the Colosseum simply means you're a tourist eager for a drink at one of the world’s most iconic sites—willing to break the law to do so.

This week, two American tourists were caught by Italian police after sneaking into the Colosseum after hours.

The duo scaled high railings, climbed the ancient steps to the second level—the same route spectators used centuries ago—before choosing one of the famous arches as the perfect spot to crack open a beer.

Unfortunately for the two men, their scenic view of Ancient Rome was cut short when bystanders spotted them and alerted the police.

The pair were caught while returning from their drinking session, walking along the street that leads to the city center.

A spokesperson from Rome's carabinieri police force told Dinogo: “In the early hours of Monday morning, witnesses saw two young men drinking beer in the Colosseum, facing outward on the second level.”

“The witnesses then flagged down a nearby patrol car, which proceeded to stop the two men on Via dei Fori Imperiali.”

These tourists aren't the first to misbehave in the Italian capital. Back in August, an American man and an English woman were fined €900 for frolicking in one of Rome's famous fountains.

In 2019, following an incident where a German student etched his initials into the ancient walls, then-mayor Virginia Raggi appealed to foreign ambassadors, urging them to promote 'civic behavior' among tourists visiting the city.

Earlier this year, two American tourists were sentenced to life imprisonment for killing an undercover police officer during a botched drug deal on a night out while on vacation.