Claudius Imperator: Messalina, Agrippina and the Shadows of a Dynasty through October 27, 2019 at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome, Italy.

Claudius Imperator: Messalina, Agrippina and the Shadows of a Dynasty through October 27, 2019 at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome, Italy.

The story of Claudius's life and works, told in an innovative setting enriched with images and a sprinkling of audio and visual excerpts, lies at the heart of the exhibition, but other characters that pepper the narrative – introduced through valuable works of art - are the protagonists of installations that will help to make visitor’s experience even more engaging. Enhanced by the updated work of historians and archaeologists, the exhibition trail at the Ara Pacis Museum, reveals an image of Claudius that is a little different from the dark and unflattering impression of him provided by those who wrote about him in ancient times. What emerges is the sense of an emperor able to take care of his people, to champion useful economic reforms and great public works, who also introduced legislation that contributed to the administrative development of the Empire.


Image: Although this portrait is not included in the exhibit I thought it was interesting as it is less well-known than those that are.  Bust of the emperor Claudius in the Archaeological Museum in Zaragoza, Spain.  Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributor Francis Raher.

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