The Roman Empire lands in Canberra
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“Rome was a poem pressed into service as a city” – Anotole Broyard
In an Australian exclusive, a new exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (NMA) presents a rare opportunity to witness the splendour of ancient Rome’s immense empire, featuring more than 200 objects including many that have never toured before.
Rome: City and Empire opened yesterday and draws on the British Museum’s extensive collection to tell the extraordinary true story of Rome’s rise from a small group of villages to become one of history’s most powerful empires.
At the height of its reign, the Roman Empire encompassed more than a quarter of the world’s population, covering almost five million square kilometres. In response to this goliath historical impact, it’s understandable why many modern societies continue to draw influence from the ancient empire 3000 years after its foundation.
Fragment of a wall painting of a man drinking Pompeii, Italy, 50–79 CE painted plaster © Trustees of the British Museum Media credit line © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved.
“The Roman Empire’s legacy endures in modern Australia today, encompassing our languages, our art and architecture, the design of our towns and cities and the laws by which we live – Australians are going to be captivated by this exhibition,” says National Museum director Dr Mathew Trinca.
Iconic historical figures from Julius Caesar to Cleopatra feature in a cast of busts, statues and other remarkable artefacts to tell the story of Rome’s impressive transformation and lasting impact.
Fronting the exhibition, a colossal Roman magistrate stands 2.41 metres tall, weighs in at 1655 kilos and dates back to 70-90 CE. The magistrate has never toured before and required 200 hours of conservation work. Other highlights include two wall-paintings and a fresco from Pompeii, frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 CE; a 1.7-metre-tall marble head of Empress Faustina I; and one of the finest bronze cavalry parade masks in existence.
Coinciding with the exhibition’s launch, the National Museum and British Museum have announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build on the existing partnership. The new MoU will see further collaboration between the two institutions including the development of another major exhibition to be hosted at the NMA.
Portrait head resembling Cleopatra. Italy, 50–30 BCE
limestone©. Trustees of the British Museum
Media credit line © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved.
“We look forward to exploring opportunities to work together on projects relating to the common interests of both countries and their shared histories,” says Dr Trinca.
Rome: City and Empire is the third collaboration between the NMA and the British Museum, following 2015’s Encounters: Revealing Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Objects from the British Museum, and A History of the World in 100 Objects in 2016.
the essentials
What: Rome: City and Empire
Where: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton
When: 21 September 2018 – 3 February 2019
Tickets: Here
More information: Here
Feature image: Medallion of Constantine the Great minted in Thessalonica, Greece, 335 CE gold © Trustees of the British Museum Media credit line © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved.
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