06 Aug - 03 Oct 2010

A dramatic new exhibition now open at Segedunum Roman Fort aims to shed a light on the sudden arrival of the Roman Empire almost 2000 years ago.

The Eagles Have Landed, an exhibition created by the team of archaeological experts at Carlisle’s Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery in partnership with Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Limited, draws parallels between the Roman conquest of Britain, and modern day issues of war and conflict.

“The exhibition examines some of the ways that life changed in northern England when the Romans arrived,” said Tim Padley, keeper of Archaeology at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. “I hope people will look at the reflections and will understand that the Romans have a modern relevance, because a lot of the problems they faced are problems we face now.

“I want people to think a bit about what we see on the television every night from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Romans faced people being killed and issues of getting supplies into places. I hope the exhibition helps explain that the Roman experience in northern England is relevant to people living today.”

The Roman army arrived in the north of England in the winter of 72/73AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian – 50 years before Hadrian decided to create the Wall baring his name.

Their arrival brought huge changes to the lives of the indigenous population. As well as the outward appearance of the Roman’s military might, organised army and armour, experts believe the cultural changes they brought would have been massive.

The Romans also brought with them coinage and a monetary economy, as well as an entire army with Romanised tastes and cash to spend. There was an inevitable power struggle, as the existing settlements were colonised by the Roman legions.

With more than 40 precious artefacts on display, including armour fittings, saddle plates, coins, pottery and a replica Vespsian bust on loan from The British Museum,  the exhibition is sure to be a draw for visitors to Segedunum Roman Fort over the summer. A series of special events including falconry displays, interactive workshops for children and Roman army boot-camps will accompany the exhibition as the site celebrates its 10th anniversary year.

North Tyneside Museums Manager Geoff Woodward says: “We’re delighted to host this exhibition, and I’m sure it will have a broad appeal to people of the North East. The Eagles have Landed looks at our region’s cultural heritage and identity in an exciting new way, and I’m sure it will be a very popular element in our summer programme.”

The Eagles Have Landed is set to tour venues Hadrian’s Wall to provide visitors with a taster for The Roman Gateway Gallery, a £4million development set to open at Tullie House in July 2011. The tour is co-ordinated by Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited (HWHL).

Nigel Mills, Director of World Heritage and Access at HWHL said "The Eagles Have Landed represents an exciting new way of introducing visitors to the wealth of stories associated with Hadrian's Wall.  Hadrian's Wall is far more than simply the Wall that Hadrian built! 

“The Roman frontier in north Britain developed and changed over 400 years in response to political and economic initiatives and forces at the heart of the Empire.  In this exhibition we want to explore the impact of the first arrival of the Roman army and Roman Imperial regime in the north of England, over 50 years before Hadrian ordered construction of the Wall." 

The Eagles have Landed is now open at Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum until Sunday 3 October. It will then tour to Senhouse Roman Museum, before arriving at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery in Carlisle. The exhibition has been created in partnership with Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited.