Citytobegivenadisplayof theRomanEmpire’spower

THE ROMAN Empire is advancing on Dundee, only this time it is being welcomed with open arms as the city is the only Scottish destination for a unique collection of artefacts.

The McManus art gallery and museum is preparing to host the British Museum’s Roman Empire: Power and People.

The exhibition will bring together a collection of more than 160 pieces from all over the world, many of which have never been to Scotland before, and some have never even been on tour.

Highlights include sculpture from the villas of the Emperors Tiberius and Hadrian, coins from the Hoxne treasure, beautiful jewellery and even near-perfectly preserved children’s clothing from Roman Egypt.

Made possible through a partnership with the British Museum, the exhibition explores the wealth, power and organisation of the empire, but also how the Romans viewed their provinces and other people.

The collection will be supplemented with a number of Scottish artefacts sourced and borrowed from nearby collections.

Christina Donald, curator of early history for Leisure and Culture Dundee, said: “We are still negotiating some lines from museums in Scotland to bring that element to the exhibition.

“This exhibition will bring together those pieces to help bridge the gap to show us another aspect to the empire.”

The McManus had to apply to host the exhibition and its curator Susan Raikes, of the British Museum, said it was the gallery’s proposed interpretation which led to its success in securing the collection.

She said: “We try to bring our tours to as great a geographical area as possible and we had a lot of applications for this one.

“Dundee’s McManus Gallery is a great venue and we are delighted to be bringing the exhibition here.”

The British Museum’s Roman Empire: Power and People will be in Dundee from January 24 2015 to May 10 2015. Like their brief foray north of past centuries, the exhibition will see the Roman Empire coming up from the south, briefly stopping in Scotland, before retreating back again.

The Roman presence in Scotland was primarily a military one with most of the artefacts discovered in Carpow, a former fortress near Abernethy.

Experts believe the soldiers based there came from all over the empire bringing their own culture with them.

Thought to originate in northern France or Germany, a piece of a highly decorated Samian Samia Ware pottery bowl, was wa found on the Dundee Law in the 1990s, believed to have been bee a diplomatic gift. Another curious item found in Dundee during the development developmen of the Beechwood housing estate was an ancient mould for making counterfeit Roman coins, pictured.

Evidence of luxury Roman goods, goods including glass and jewellery coming into Angus and Fife, after the Roman military withdrawal around 213 AD, show a continued trading relationship with the th area.

Pictures: British Museum. Picture: Steve MacDougall. McManus visitor assistant Sanna Dyker with one of the Roman masks on display at the gallery as a taster to the exhibition, Roman Empire: Power and People. Right: A brass armlet from 50-200 AD and, far right, a marble head from the statue of the Emperor...

Pictures: Trustees of the British Museum. From left: A portrait of a mummified woman from 55-70 AD; the Crawford Cup 50-100; copper alloy and enamel dragonesque brooch 43-410; and a knitted woollen child’s sock, Egypt 200-400.