Life in the Roman army – an exhibition.

If you have studied some history, you have read a lot about the Roman Empire, about Julius Caesar, the Colosseum, and maybe about the expansion of the Roman Empire. But, how did the empire expand? What was life like for a soldier fighting in the Roman army?

If you read about the Football World Cup in Qatar, it is one thing to learn about the situation of the workers by listening to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. But, you are quite likely to hear a different story if you speak to the actual workers who were out on the field doing the hard work.

So, what better way to learn about what life was like as a soldier in the Roman army, than through the eyes of actual soldiers? That is the perspective of this temporary exhibition in the British Museum in which you can learn more about what life was like for a soldier in the army of the Roman Empire.

The Roman army was attractive as they offered Roman citizenship to people joining the army. As a result, the army was a promise to people of a better life under better circumstances.

Would you like to learn more about what life was like for a soldier as he was fighting? Or maybe find out what family life was like for soldiers? This exhibition in the British Museum in London is one you should visit.

Life in the Roman army in the British Museum

Location: British Museum
Dates: February 1, 2024 – June 23, 2024

Admission fee: Even though the British Museum is free, this is a temporary exhibition for which you must pay an entrance fee. You can book tickets for the exhibition at the website of the British Museum.

Would you like to read more about other events, concerts, festivals, markets, and things happening in London? Visit our “What’s happening in London“-page to find out more.

Luxury and Power in Ancient Persia and Greece.

The Persian empire was gigantic, and it was also wealthy. That is why the Greek soldiers considered it a fantastic accomplishment as they conquered and destroyed the Persian empire. Not only were they surprised by what they had accomplished but also by the wealth and the treasuries they found among the Persian leaders.

This exhibition covers a time period between 550 BC and 30 BC. We can see how wealth and luxury was used as political power already back then.

If you want to visit the exhibition, it is recommended to buy your tickets online before arrival.

Luxury and Power in Ancient Persia and Greece.

British Museum
Entrance: £12 (or more)

May 4th, 2023 – August 13th, 2023

The mystery of the hieroglyphs.

To many, it is obvious today that we can understand what they wrote a long time ago in hieroglyphs in Egypt. But, a few hundred years ago, it wasn’t obvious at all, not until the discovery of the Rosetta stone, in which they could see the hieroglyphs next to other languages (translated), thus making it possible to understand the meaning of the symbols.

This exhibition in the British Museum will give you insight in the hard work made to decipher the hieroglyphs. It was a tremendous work, but it brought along blessings and a way bigger understanding of life several thousand years ago.

The Rosetta stone, which was crucial in this process, was discovered in 1799. On the stone, hieroglyphs were placed next to the demotic language and ancient Greek.

This exhibition will give you a further understanding of the ancient civilization of Egypt and also the incredible work done to understand the hieroglyphs.

Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt

British Museum
Entrance: £18
October 12, 2022 – February 19, 2023

King Ashurbanipal of Assyria in the British Museum

Between November 8th in 2018 and February 24th in 2019, visitors are invited to learn more about King Ashurbanipal of Assyria in the British Museum

King Ashurbanipal described himself as the King of the World, and at this exhibition, he is portrayed as not only a king, but also a warrior, a scholar, an empire builder, a kingslayer, a lion hunter, and a librarian. Doesn’t that sound like a guy worthy of some attention?

ashurbanipal

He was the king of Assyria between year 669–631 BC, and he reigned from the city of Nineveh (today in Iraq). We know little about the death of the great king, but not long after his death, the city of Nineveh was destroyed, and the Assyrian Empire came to an end.

Since the 1840s, we have learned more and more about King Ashurbanipal. That is the knowledge that will be given on to the visitors of this temporary exhibition in the British Museum between November 8th (2018) and February 24th (2019).

Would you like to know more about King Ashurbanipal? Read the following article in the blog of the British Museum.

King Ashurbanipal of Assyria

British Museum
November 8 (2018) – February 24 (2019)

For more information about events taking place in London, other exhibitions, or maybe just info about the main attractions of the city, visit the London Guide.

Rodin and the art of ancient Greece [Exhibition]

RodinThe French sculptor Auguste Rodin visited London in 1881, and as he saw sculptures from Greece in the British Museum, he was greatly inspired. If you return to the museum today, you can see the result!

The exhibition in itself is a proof of the importance of art museums. If it hadn’t been for the British Museum in 1881, Auguste Rodin wouldn’t have seen the beautiful Greek sculptures in the museum, and his career might have moved in a different path. But, luckily the British Museum was alive back then, and it still is today.

A lot of the sculptures that Rodin saw in the museum back then was in poor shape and lacked heads and other parts. This led Rodin to make sculptures in the same way, without heads. Now, a long time after his death, you can see a large collection of the works of Rodin at this temporary exhibition in the British Museum. And to make it even more interesting, the exhibition will feature Rodin’s work next to some of the original sculptures from Greece that inspired Rodin back in 1881.

Rodin and the art of ancient Greece [Exhibition]

British Museum
Apri 26th – July 29th

We hope you will enjoy the exhibition and your stay in London. For more information about others events and happenings in London, take a look around in our London Guide.