While males of noble birth were expected to serve as part-time soldiers, the bulk of the Roman army was a professional army of commoners. Most stories of the Roman empire describe the history of powerful men but Legion takes a different course.

This exhibition focuses on the experiences of ordinary soldiers, both the citizen legionaries and the non-citizen auxiliaries, as well as their families. Following the life of one legionary whose letters home have survived the centuries, Claudius Terentianus, the exhibition will take visitors on a journey from enlistment to retirement. Over several letters, Terentianus recounts his failed attempt to join the legions in about AD 110. He writes home asking for clothing and equipment and reports his struggles to fit in. While hoping for a transfer, he was deployed to the eastern front in Trajan's war with Parthia. He eventually achieved his goal, becoming 'a soldier of the legion' as he called himself and his survival into retirement.

A gripping blockbuster of an exhibition, Legion is free for under 16s and will be particularly engaging for our Classical Civilisation students. To find out more and to book tickets, please click here.