Inside Room 70, the Roman Empire gallery at the British Museum.

Room 70

Museum Missions
Roman Empire

Key information

Free wifi available – use a smartphone or tablet

Suitable for all ages

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Discover the Roman Empire using these fun family missions.

The objects in this room come from all over the Roman Empire and demonstrate its vast scale. You'll meet mighty emperors and other important figures as you encounter the many sculptures on display. Other objects range from humble everyday artefacts to precious jewellery worn by wealthy Romans.

Explore sculptures and more as you roam around the gallery looking for objects and use your phone or tablet for the pose and perform missions.

Museum Missions is presented in Room 70: Roman Empire, the Wolfson Gallery.

Find

Perform

Find this statue of a boy dancing. This may be Cupid, god of love.

Starting with this statue's pose and using poses from other metal statues you can see in the room, create a dance routine.

Now record a video of your dance using your phone or tablet. Make sure you're at a safe distance from any objects or cases. 

Discuss

Septimius Severus was a Roman emperor born in North Africa. He travelled to Britain in 208 AD and invaded Caledonia (modern-day Scotland) with an army of 50,000 men. His plans were cut short when he fell ill and died in Eboracum (modern-day York).

This statue is carved showing him in his military uniform highlighting his role as leader of the Roman army.

If you had a statue carved of yourself, what would you be wearing and what would it say about you?

Look

Jewellery belonging to wealthy Romans was often made from precious metals and stones. They could have been worn on the hands, arms, around the neck or in the hair of their owners.

Look for pieces of jewellery displayed in this gallery and find examples of a: 

  • Finger ring 
  • Necklace 
  • Pair of earrings
  • Hairpin  
  • Bracelet  
  • Pendant 

Pose

Figure of a woman

Figure of a women, Roman.
Take a photo of your family posing behind the headless statues of a standing Muse, and Athena sitting on her throne, which are next to this one. Position your heads to complete the statues.
Collection online

Bronze figure of a young satyr

Bronze statuette of a satyr
This statue has its hands raised playing an instrument. Originally it would have held double pipes. Take a photo of you copying this pose or pretending to play your favourite instrument.
Collection online

Imperial family cameo

Cameo of imperial family. Roman, 37-50 (circa).
Standing near this carved stone, photograph two of your family facing each other just like the pair shown.
Collection online

Busts of Emperor and Empress

Two busts of members of a Roman imperial family.
Take a picture of your family in a powerful pose like the members of these Roman imperial families. 
Collection online

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Supporter

Supported by

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Samsung Electronics is proud to sponsor the Digital Discovery Centre at the British Museum, as part of our global commitment to youth and education. We have been working together in partnership since 2008, developing an innovative digital learning programme offered to schools and families. We are delighted that over 20,000 visitors every year are using Samsung's latest technology to explore and discover the Museum's collection in new ways. By introducing our advanced technology into a learning environment, we hope to open the door to a world of possibilities.

Find out more about Samsung 

Sponsorship case study: Samsung 

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