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This is a cavalry sports helmet from about 150AD. Apparently it is
one of the finest examples of these types of helmets, worn by top
cavalry troopers in colourful sports events.
Bronze military diploma, 103AD. This certificate was issued by
Emperor Trajan to Reburrus, a Spanish junjior officer in the first
Pannonian cavalry regiment. It grainted him citizenship and the
right to legal marriage, privileges usually given to auxiliary
soldiers after completing military service.
Enough of history, look at the Reading Room! Tell me this is not
an impressive round room of books. I am sure it has factored in to
many films over the years.
Ah, the actual Rosetta Stone!
Discovered in mid-July, 1799, by the town of Rashid (Rosetta),
Egypt. After Egypt became Christian, the Egyptian temples were
closed and many were demolished and their masonry reused. At some point in
time, the Rosetta Stone was broken and moved from its original
location to Rashid where it was built into a fortress by the ruler
of Egypt, Sultan Aitbay, in the fifteenth century. In 1799 it was
rediscovered as the Frenh were building new defences. Its
importance was immediately recognized, but when the French were
defeated it was surrendered to the British forces as part of the
treaty of Alexandria in 1801. It entered the British Museum in
1802. These events were recorded in painted labelson the sides,
reading 'Captured in Egpt by the British Army in 1801' and
'Presented by King George III'.
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