Updated 08/13/2009 06:31 PM
City Museum Employees Engage In Mock Battle
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An epic Roman battle was recreated in Queens tonight between toga-clad museum employees.
The Queens Museum of Art hosted a mock naval battle featuring baguette swords, watermelon cannon balls, and 30-foot long galleons.
Museum workers from all five boroughs were pitted against each other in boats made of reeds in the reflecting pool. It's all the brainchild of artist Duke Riley.
"We're recreating a roman naumachia, which is when the emperor would flood an arena like the coliseum or Circus Maximus and create a mock naval battle where they would send condemned prisoners to fight on boats to the finish," explained Riley.
Public viewers were encouraged to wear togas.
Riley recommended leaving the kids at home.
For more information, visit QueensMuseum.org.