Member Preview – ROME: Empire, Power, People

Enjoy an exclusive, before-hours preview of Melbourne Museum’s newest exhibition – an intimate experience away from the crowds.

Fresco From The Hypogeum Of The Octavians, 3Rd Century CE / Source: Museo Nazionale Romano

Featuring original statues, mosaics, frescoes, jewellery and everyday objects from the humblest to the most sumptuous, this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Rome’s political, cultural and social life. 

From the fall of Julius Ceasar to the power and ambition of an Empire, the exhibition showcases the luxury of Imperial Rome, the spectacle of the gladiator arena, the bustling marketplaces and the everyday experiences of Romans.  

Explore Ancient Rome’s political, social and spiritual worlds with over 150 objects dating from the Imperial period 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE, with all of the objects on display in Melbourne for the first time ever.  

The exhibition, designed by Museums Victoria and developed in collaboration with Contemporanea Progetti and curators from Museo Nazionale Romano and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze, will draw on the extraordinary collections of two of Italy’s most prestigious museums for a never-before seen exhibition.  

Not a member? Join Museum Members today and experience it firsthand.