The National Museum of Australia is launching Rome: City and Empire from September 21, where you can see Roman artefacts from the British Museum on loan to Australia!

I spent days on end in the British Museum and British Library while researching for Fire and Sacrifice, and loved every minute. To be surrounded by the history, a story in every object… Exploring, writing, coffee, exploring, writing, coffee…

If you’re in London, I implore you to go explore the Rome galleries to get up close and personal with objects that may well have been used by the priestesses and their families (Room 69, Greek and Roman Life is a favourite for cooking objects and hair ornaments!).

If you’re in Australia, take this great opportunity to see them on loan. I can’t wait to see what the exhibition includes.

Some of my favourite things in the Roman rooms of the British Museum that I can imagine the priestesses of Vesta may just have owned…