An archaeologist has received backlash after slamming a British Museum’s exhibition as “unrelenting fascist imagery and sexism”.
The Legions exhibition opened at the museum last month but has been condemned by Dr Claire Millington, a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London.
Her comments came after the museum posted a picture from the event on its official Instagram account.
The new feature gives an insight into life 2,000 years ago during the Roman Army.
An archaeologist has received backlash after slamming a British Museum’s exhibition as ‘unrelenting fascist imagery and sexism’
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Millington shared a screenshot of the London museum’s post, which reads: “Girlies if you’re single and looking for a man, this is your sign to go the British Museum’s new exhibition Life in the Roman Army and walk around looking confused you’re welcome x.”
The academic took exception to the exhibit and commented: “Unrelenting fascist imagery and sexism dolloped on top. This is the BM’s insta today.”
Historian and author Dr Robin Douglas defended the archaeologist saying: “Various people are knee-jerking at Claire’s tweet. (All men, from what I’ve seen.)
“One can debate whether retweeting the BM’s post is wise, but the militaristic framing of this exhibition does seem quite problematic.
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“And there is a distinctly fascistic aesthetic to that picture.”
The exhibition is described by the museum as: “the reality of daily life for the men, women and children who were part of the machine which allowed Rome to master its vast empire”.
Commentator Benedict Spence hit back at Millington writing on social media: “An archaeologist has complained the Roman legionary exhibition at the British Museum contains ‘unrelenting fascist imagery’ and once again I am proposing we just close half the universities, the experiment has clearly failed.
The academic’s comments came after the museum posted a picture from the event on its official Instagram account
“The ‘militaristic framing’ of an exhibition on… Roman legionaries. ‘Fascist aesthetic’.
“I am *yearning* for it to be a joke, for their sakes and ours.”
Tom Jones, a Tory councillor on North Yorkshire Council added: “The majority of the population, who are normal, will enjoy this exhibition, because they are normal.”
Sir Mark Jones, Interim Director of the British Museum, said: “The story of the Roman army is more than just pitched battles and war. Legion: life in the Roman army is a chance to show different perspectives and showcase the lives of the men, women, and children who formed one of the most famous armed forces in the world.”
Source Agencies
