8 Oct-9 Jan 2011. Two Empires: The Eagle and the Dragon. Two ancient cultures collide in an exhibition where the Roman Empire meets the Chinese Qui and Han dynasties (200 BC-200 AD), considered a golden age in China's history. The exhibition takes place in the Curia Iulia museum at the Roman Forum and displays 450 similar yet contrasting artefacts relating to both empires. Jade, lacquer and silks combine with marble statues, glass, mosaics, silver and bronze. With the participation of almost 50 museums, the exhibition is the result of extensive collaboration between China and Italy and is held in honour of the Cultural Year of China in Italy. In addition to the items on view, the exhibition examines the role that both cultures played in world civilisation and how their legacies have contributed to modern-day philosophy, engineering, arts and politics. Both empires regarded themselves as the centre of the world and both empires ultimately fell.