Legion: Life in the Roman Army

The British Museum, Holborn

Travel back to Ancient Rome with the British Museum’s Bold New Exhibition

The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery (Room 30), The British Museum 

Until the 23rd of June 2024, from 10 am to 5 pm daily (Up to 8:30 pm on Fridays)

Explore Rome’s military might from the fort to the battlefield through the eyes of its soldiers in “Legion: Life in the Roman Army.”, the latest curated collection from The British Museum.

Spanning over a million square miles, the Roman Empire owed its existence to its formidable army. This exhibition offers a personal journey, following soldier Claudius Terentianus from enlistment to retirement. Unearth letters penned by soldiers in Roman Egypt and the ancient Vindolanda tablets from Hadrian’s Wall, revealing the daily life of soldiers, their families, and the enslaved. Discover the rewards and perils of army life, from earning citizenship to facing civilian fear and resistance. “Legion” vividly portrays Roman military communities from Scotland to the Red Sea.

Highlights of the exhibition include a variety of ancient artefacts such as a Roman Scutum Shield, Armour from the Arminius Revolt and even a 2000-year-old Tombstone maintained in remarkable condition.

Travelling with family? Take learning outside of the classroom with free entry for under 16s or members of the museum (advanced booking required).