One of the city’s biggest cultural drawcards for 2026 has been locked in, with Melbourne Museum set to open ROME: Empire, Power, People on 1 April.
The Melbourne-exclusive exhibition will bring more than 150 objects from two of Italy’s leading museums to Australia for the first time, offering an in-depth look at the rise and rule of one of history’s most influential civilisations.
Designed by Museums Victoria with Contemporanea Progetti and curators from Museo Nazionale Romano and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze, the exhibition showcases original statues, frescoes, mosaics, jewellery and everyday items dating from the 1st to 3rd Century CE.
Visitors will move through stories of political power, imperial luxury and the lived experience of Romans, from marketplaces and domestic life to the spectacle of the gladiator arena.
Scenography and multimedia will anchor the exhibition, shaping what organisers describe as an immersive encounter with an empire that continues to shape modern culture.
“This exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stand before treasures nearly 2,000 years old and feel the pulse of a civilisation that shaped the world,” said Lynley Crosswell, CEO and Director of Museums Victoria.
“Don’t miss this extraordinary journey; experience the grandeur and humanity of Rome right here at Melbourne Museum,” she said.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said: “The Allan Labor Government proudly backs this exclusive exhibition – bringing Ancient Rome to life and giving Victorians and visitors the chance to go beyond thinking about the Roman Empire to seeing priceless items on show in Australia for the first time.”
Alongside the exhibition, Melbourne Museum will introduce an Italian-inspired hospitality offering, spanning a themed eatery and a regionally focused menu at Mercury Restaurant. A curated retail range and IMAX Melbourne screenings of Italian classics will round out the season, with supporting events already on sale.
The exhibition will run from Wednesday 1 April 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026. For more information visit the Melbourne Museum website ROME: Empire, Power, People.
