Exhibition - Legion: Life in the roman army

Legion: Life in the Roman Army was a captivating temporary exhibition at the British Museum. It offered an in-depth look at the Roman Empire’s unparalleled military might through the lens of individual soldiers and their communities. Spanning over a million square miles at its height, the empire’s success owed much to its army—the first professional fighting force in the West. Greenway Associates served as Quantity Surveyors for this exhibition.

OUR ROLE

Liam McFaul served as the lead Cost Consultant on this project, ensuring its smooth execution.

Greenway Associates are proud to have collaborated with the British Museum for over 15 years, contributing to many fascinating exhibitions, including this memorable project.

THE INSTALLATION

The exhibition delved into the dual role of the Roman military: as a formidable engine of conquest and a pathway to citizenship. Through more than 200 artefacts, the exhibition painted a vivid picture of both military and domestic life.

This family-friendly exhibition introduced a “Horrible Histories” storytelling style, a new approach for the British Museum, which brings history to life with moments of dark humour, dramatic details, and immersive engagement. The exhibition captured the brutal reality of Roman military life, while making it accessible and engaging for younger audiences, offering a fresh perspective on the past.

Beyond the battlefield, Legion explores the wider societal impact of the Roman army, highlighting both the rewards and dangers of soldiering. Legion manages to humanise the empire’s military machine, bringing to life the stories of ordinary individuals. 

From gilded bronze scabbards and intricately reconstructed arm guards to coins and domestic objects, Legion’s immersive displays and carefully curated artefacts gave visitors a unique perspective. Artefacts like children’s shoes and tombstones illustrate the familial side of military communities, while grim discoveries, such as the clandestine burial of two soldiers in Canterbury, hint at local resistance to Roman rule. Other highlights included papyrus letters written by soldiers stationed in Roman Egypt, the Vindolanda tablets from Hadrian’s Wall—some of Britain’s oldest surviving handwritten documents—and the only intact legionary shield in existence. These items revealed not only the rigors of military life, but also the daily struggles, hopes, and resilience of the people who lived it.