St Albans Museums is currently hosting an exhibition that delves into the comparison between Roman society and modern Britain. Curated by Andrew Deathe, the exhibition titled „Superior: Inferior“ invites visitors to the Roman Verulamium Museum in St Albans, Hertfordshire to reflect on their own behavior and assumptions in comparison to the ancient Roman culture.
Deathe highlights the similarities between Roman and modern British society, emphasizing how both civilizations showcase their class and status through their occupation, possessions, and property. Through the creation of seven pairs of imagined Roman citizens, Deathe explores how individuals in ancient Rome sought to elevate or diminish their social standing.
Illustrator Simon Maskell drew inspiration from Tintin to create the imagined Roman characters featured in the exhibition. One intriguing pair includes „a couple of teenage tear-aways stealing statues from a temple.“ Despite their similar actions, the difference in their legal status – one being a Roman citizen and the other a „free-born British girl“ – would have resulted in contrasting treatment under Roman law.
The exhibition also incorporates an audio component, with two deceased women appearing as ghosts and comparing the goods they were buried with in their graves. This aspect highlights how even in death, individuals were subject to judgment and comparison based on their social status.
Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to decide whether the Roman characters depicted are „superior“ or „inferior“ in terms of class. Deathe hopes that this interactive element will spark discussions about human behavior and societal norms. He prompts visitors to contemplate the similarities between ancient and modern humans, emphasizing that despite differences in expression, individuals from both eras share common traits such as preferences, dislikes, anxieties, and differences.
The exhibition will be open to the public until 11 November, providing ample opportunity for individuals to engage with and reflect on the parallels between Roman society and contemporary Britain. By exploring the ways in which individuals in both civilizations navigate social hierarchies and strive to improve their standing, the exhibition offers a thought-provoking insight into the complexities of human behavior and societal dynamics.