Legion: Life in the Roman Army

 

The Legion exhibition at the British Museum is well thought out, and very child-friendly with objects for them to touch and play with, as well as especially written notices. It was extremely busy when I went and tickets were selling out fast each day when I booked. The exhibitions is displayed nicely and follows a recruit, Claudius Terentiarnus, through his time in the Roman Army until retirement. Many never made it that far. When a person signed up, they signed up for twenty-five years. The only way out was through injury, death on the battlefield, or retirement. Life was harsh, but if one rose through the ranks, one could command better wages. If you survived there was a better life for that soldier and his family once retired.

Firmus Ecconis died aged 36. He was an auxiliary foot soldier.

 His impressive tombstone features the enslaved child (left) and his son (right).

Standards

Herculaneum soldier found after the eruption of Vesuvius

Imagine facing the Roman Army

 with this horn ringing out.

Lower down in the pecking order, soldiers were not allowed to marry, but could have an 'unofficial' family and even leave their possessions to their concubine in their Will, which could not be disputed by their father.

Photos: Last Will and Testament, medical implements,  helmets and swords, Crocodile armour, Scutum and small shield, dragon standard, horse amour.

Medics had limited equipment when it came to injury on the battlefield. When it came to injury on the battlefield, the medics had limited equipment, including a standard bone saw and opium for sedation during operations, but they had no disinfectants. There is evidence of an internal stomach operation. It doesn't bear thinking about!

I find it amazing that fragments of letters survived, and there are other unique finds like the scutum/shield, which is the only one of its kind. I was tempted to buy the exhibition guide, but the cost of these is now so high that I rarely buy one.  However, I have my photos and the experience of attending.

I believe these are eye shields for horses

Human hair from a woman living in a fort with her husband

Combs and other items. The combs remind me of nit combs!

Fragments of letters written by women

Helmet

The romans had brutal punishments even for their own soldiers, but crucifixion was usually only for criminals. Here you can still see the nail in the ankle.