Journey into the heart of one of history’s most influential civilisations at ROME: Empire, Power, People, now showing exclusively at Melbourne Museum.
This major exhibition brings together more than 180 extraordinary artefacts from the collections of Italy’s Museo Nazionale Romano and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the grandeur, ambition and humanity of Ancient Rome up close.
Spanning the rise and reach of the Roman Empire from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE, the exhibition reveals a civilisation of immense political power, artistic innovation and everyday complexity. Through marble portraits, intricate mosaics, frescoes, jewellery, coins and intimate domestic objects, visitors are invited to step into the lived experience of ancient Romans, from emperors and gladiators to merchants, worshippers and children.
Designed by Museums Victoria in collaboration with Contemporanea Progetti and curators Dr Federica Rinaldi, Dr Sara Colantonio, and Dr Carlotta Caruso from Museo Nazionale Romano, the exhibition unfolds across immersive theatrical environments inspired by Roman life. Visitors can wander through the atmospheric world of the bathhouse, encounter the spectacle of the gladiatorial arena and experience the splendour of lavish Roman banquets through large-scale projections, layered soundscapes and evocative sensory details. A bespoke fragrance created by Melbourne wellness brand Salus Body, blending notes of oregano, lavender and rosemary, recreates the scent of ancient Roman bathhouses and adds another layer to the experience.
Among the highlights are sculpted portraits of legendary emperors including Augustus, Nero, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius, alongside objects more than 2,000 years old. Rare treasures include ancient gold jewellery, fresco fragments, ceremonial objects, and everyday tools that reveal how Romans worked, worshipped, traded and entertained themselves. Together, the collection paints a vivid portrait of a society whose influence still shapes politics, architecture, language and culture today.
But ROME: Empire, Power, People extends far beyond the gallery walls. In a city shaped by generations of Italian migration and culture, Melbourne Museum will transform into a vibrant celebration of Italy with events, food experiences and public programmes inspired by both ancient and contemporary Italian life. Visitors can indulge in Roman-inspired pastries and savoury dishes from Brunetti Classico or experience the enduring influence of Italian storytelling through the IL GRANDE CINEMA SERIES at IMAX Melbourne, featuring iconic films including Gladiator, The Godfather and Suspiria.
Visitors looking to deepen their experience can join daily guided tours in English before the exhibition opens to the public, offering unique curatorial insights and a quieter way to experience the exhibition’s extraordinary objects. Italian language tours, presented every Saturday in partnership with CO.AS.IT, provide an immersive cultural experience celebrating Italian heritage and identity.
Whether you’re fascinated by ancient history, captivated by Italian culture or simply looking for an unforgettable Melbourne experience, ROME: Empire, Power, People offers a rare chance to encounter the stories, artistry and ambition of one of the world’s greatest civilisations.
ROME: Empire, Power, People – only until 25 October 2026, exclusively at Melbourne Museum.
