A new exhibition that transports visitors back 2,000 years to one of the most epic, technologically significant times in the history of mankind will open in Western Australia for the first time.

Ancient Rome: Explore the Empire that Shaped the World opens at the Museum of the Goldfields on Saturday 15 September and will tour both regional and metro WA Museums.

Visitors will be able to learn about the military genius of Julius Caesar, admire the disruptive innovations that held the Roman Empire together for centuries, and marvel at the awe-inspiring technology used to construct Rome, which became known as the Eternal City.

“Our artisans have meticulously reconstructed ancient Roman technology to scale from drawings using the same materials and techniques that the Romans used thousands of years ago,” says Thomas Rizzo, exhibition director for The Niccolai Group.

“Many of the machines are interactive. The entire family will be able to get hands-on with these creations to learn about the fascinating history of ancient Rome, the lives of fearsome gladiators, and the innovations that set the Roman Empire apart from the rest of the world.”

Ancient Rome is touring WA following hugely successful showings in Rome, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hong Kong, China, Taipei, Macao, Korea and regional New Zealand. It is being shown in WA for the first time thanks to sponsorship from SEW Eurodrive.

Western Australian Museum of the Goldfields Acting Manager, Cara Haymes, said Ancient Rome provides a unique way for visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience ancient history.

“There are many highlights in this exhibition including inventions such as the book, paved roads, Roman arches, cranes and industrial machinery, water pumps and other technologies that continue to provide benefits in our modern-day world. I believe children and families, history buffs, engineers, military fanatics and those interested in the innovations of the world will thoroughly enjoy this exhibition,” she said.

“The WA Museum is dedicated to bringing the world to the regional areas of Western Australia and we’re thrilled for the Artisans of Florence-International and The Niccolai Group to help us achieve this.”

Ancient Rome features group activities, short documentaries, computer animations, the armour and weaponry of Roman centurions and gladiators, traditional Roman mosaics, frescoes, and games and a sample of original artefacts.

 

Media contacts

For interviews and for photography and filming requests at the Museum of the Goldfields, please contact Tracey Peacock (Western Australian Museum Media and Publicity Officer) via (08) 6552 7897 / 0466 304 807 / Tracy.Peacock@museum.wa.gov.au