Saturnalia: How the Romans Give Exhibition Opening

Each year a team of undergraduate interns works with the Antiquities Museum to develop a small exhibition alongside their studies. The 2016 Interns have worked to produce an exhibition highlighting the different types of gifts given in the Roman festive season, the Saturnalia.

Objects from the Museum collection are paired with short epigrams describing them, drawn from the 1st century Roman poet, Martial. Martial lists over 200 suitable gifts, alongside short verses intended as ancient ‘gift tags’ to accompany them. The Romans loved to give and receive these small gifts, much the same as we do today.

Curated by Ms Jasmin Blyth, Ms Kyla Duffy, Ms Samantha Levick and Ms Jessica Zelli, assisted by Dr Janette McWilliam and Mr James Donaldson.

Register for the exhibition opening here (paid event)

Tickets: $25 per person ($20 for students)

Visitors to the exhibition opening will receive canapés and drinks on arrival as part of their ticket price. The 2016 interns will give a presentation on the topic of Roman gift giving from 6.30pm.