Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Press Release

August 18, 2006—ATLANTA—Fernbank Museum of Natural History presents 350 years of illustrious world history with the world-premiere of a special exhibition that explores the legacy of the Roman Empire. Featuring 450 artifacts that range from small coins to larger-than-life statues, Imperial Rome showcases the brilliance of ancient Roman society during its glory days. The exhibition will open on the 2069th birthday of Caesar Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, and will be on view from September 23, 2006-January 3, 2007.

Created through a collaboration between Italy’s Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, and Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the exhibition examines life during the era of Imperial Rome through a series of galleries showcasing the legendary emperors, gods, households, lifestyles, and peace, or Pax Romana, established by the powerful military.

Fernbank archaeologist Dr. Maxwell Miller said people will frequently recognize the parallels between the ancient Romans and modern society as they explore the exhibition.

“The Roman Empire has long since passed from the scene, but its legacy continues and can be seen in virtually every aspect of American society: our architecture, government, language, currency, and on and on,” said Miller, who helped develop the exhibition’s written content. “History books enable us to imagine what life was like during earlier times, but exhibitions like Imperial Rome place actual remnants of the past before our very eyes. The stories of ancient civilizations become more real, and sometimes we find ourselves correcting the ways we had imagined things.”

Rome was born from a small village of huts near the banks of the Tiber River in the 8th century BCE*, but it was during the era of Imperial Rome, from 27 BCE to the mid 3rd century CE*, that Rome flourished as the dominant political, economic and military power of the western civilized world. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest imperial powers ever, at its height the vast Roman Empire encompassed most of Britain to the north, all of continental Europe west of the Rhine and south of the Danube, most of Asia west of the Euphrates, the coastal areas of Northern Africa, and the Mediterranean islands.

Imperial Rome begins with a brief history lesson taking visitors to a time before the empire when Rome was a powerful republic, governed by a senate. Visitors are greeted by an incredible marble sculpture of Julius Caesar, whose assassination paved the way for the beginning of imperial rule. This recent archaeological find is one of three newly discovered treasures of extraordinary quality featured in the exhibition – none of which has ever traveled to the United States. From this well-known point in history, the exhibition picks up where William Shakespeare’s literary tragedy left off, launching visitors to the golden age of the Roman Empire, beginning with Augustus Caesar’s rise to power as Rome’s first emperor following the assassination of Julius Caesar, his adoptive father.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will find artistic ceramics and terracottas, incredible portraits and reliefs, dramatic sarcophagi and urns, large and small statues of bronze and marble, beautiful gems and cameos, remarkable jewels and glass, noble coins and engravings, and architectural models and artifacts.

After walking through a dramatic gallery of portrait busts and coins bearing the images of Rome’s emperors, visitors explore Roman gods and beliefs as they encounter figurines, statues, urns and sarcophagi. Next they’ll detect that fashion is not just a sign of modern Italy as they behold full-sized statues of Romans dressed in emblematic togas, tunics and elaborate hair styles. They’ll also marvel at the exquisite jewelry worn by the elite and take a glimpse inside a legendary banquet feast.

Visitors also will be swept back to the time of gladiators, mimes and theatrical performances as they explore small statues of entertainers, terracotta carvings of musicians and circus performers, and marble theatre masks representing dramas and tragedies.

As the journey continues, visitors are introduced to the success of trade and expansion central to Imperial Rome’s infrastructure, as they encounter a recreated tabernae, or merchant shop, that includes authentic weights, measures, seals and cups. The power of the military that led to the success of Imperial Rome is explored with a bronze military diploma, military regalia and a face-to-face encounter with a life-sized statue of the war hero Germanicus.

While every artifact conveys an important message about the people who created it, the accompanying narrative provides context for the life and times of early Roman civilization.

Fernbank’s Dr. Miller said the history of Imperial Rome is so intriguing that Hollywood has embraced it in many ways, including the film Gladiator, the HBO series Rome, and adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

“In addition to its power, wealth and exotic features, ancient Rome presents us with such strong and unusual characters. Julius Caesar, Nero, and Mark Antony and Cleopatra—who could have created fictional characters more intriguing than these?” Dr. Miller said. “And there are many other such colorful characters in this exhibition, yet to be discovered by Hollywood.”

Younger visitors will find plenty to enjoy, too, as they follow the tales of “Marc” and “Lucy,” character guides developed by Fernbank Museum’s education staff to help kids relate to what life was like in Imperial Rome. At the end of the exhibition, little emperors also will discover Education Alley where books, activities and crafts help translate a history lesson into a fun learning experience. On weekends, Education Alley will be facilitated by an educator, who will give kids the opportunity to try on togas and enjoy other fun learning activities.

“These elements will help our younger visitors understand the more complex topics that are introduced in Imperial Rome,” said Cindy Sheehy, manager of family programs at Fernbank. “Interactive activities and kid-friendly language help engage children and let them imagine how their lives may have been similar or different if they lived during the time of Imperial Rome.”

Imperial Rome was organized by Contemporanea Progetti, Florence, Italy; in collaboration with Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta. The exhibition is sponsored by The Raymond M. Cash Foundation, BellSouth, The Rich Foundation, Delta Air Lines, The Atlantan, and AGL Resources.

Tickets: 404.929.6400
Visitor Information: 404.929.6300 or www.fernbankmuseum.org

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