A unique chance to discover Rome's history in Australia

A fabulous exhibition of Roman artefacts from the British Museum's collection has come to Canberra. Dr Mathew Trinca, Director of the National Museum of Australia, gives us an overview of what will be on show.

Dr Mathew Trinca is the Director of the National Museum of Australia Source: courtesy of the National Museum of Australia

The exhibition Rome: City and Empire is bringing down under an extraordinary range of Roman objects, statues and various artefacts which are part of the British Museum's collection. "It's almost impossible to imagine the course of human history without understanding the role that Rome played in the development of human knowledge and experience" said the director of the National Museum of Australia, doctor Mathew Trinca, speaking with SBS Italian.

Statue of a Roman magistrate Italy, 70–90 CE (head), early 2nd century CE (body) marble 1973,0302.9 © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved Source: © Trustees of the British Museum

Despite the massive logistical challenges posed by bringing such precious objects to the other side of the world, including a statue weighing around one tonne just by itself, Dr Trinca feels very strongly that it was important to bring this exhibition own under "for Australians to share the wonders of Rome."

Bulla (protective amulet) Italy, 5th–2nd century BCE gold, plasma and chalcedony 1980,0201.97 © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved Source: © Trustees of the British Museum

Rome: City and Empire, the exhibition hosted by the National Museum of Australia, will be held from 21 September 2018 till 3 February 2019.

Child’s sandal Sheikh Ibada, Antinoupolis, Egypt, 1st–10th century CE, goat leather, 1914,1010.16 © Trustees of the British Museum, 2018. All rights reserved Source: © Trustees of the British Museum

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