In celebration of the ordinary Roman soldiers who, almost 2000 years ago, began the creation of the Levels as we know them today, we have installed the figure of a Roman Centurion at our new gateway hub at Lighthouse Inn on the Wentlooge Levels.

The farmed landscape of the Gwent Levels was created around 2000 years ago by Roman soldiers based at Caerleon. The soldiers, members of the Second Augustan Legion, were employed digging ditches and rudimentary sea defences to help drain the Levels, then a wild marshland, to provide year-round grazing for livestock.

Much of the Roman landscape now lies buried under layers of estuary mud laid down when sea defences failed after the Romans left Britain in the 5th century. However, the distinct pattern of long, narrow fields around Peterstone and Marshfield is thought to be part of a relic Roman landscape and several of the main reens are probably Roman in origin.

There have been many archaeological discoveries from this period, including the Goldcliff Stone, a Roman-era marker stone recording the construction of a ditch or section of sea defences by soldiers under the command of Centurion Statorius Maximus. Our figure represents this Roman soldier.

The figure stands around 2.4m tall and is constructed from Corten (weathering) steel, which naturally creates an outer coating of rust that protects the underlying metal from further corrosion. The 300kg figure is built of layers of metal separated by spaces, which allows light to pass through, giving the sculpture a spectral quality.

The figure was created by digitally scanning a human model wearing the replica clothes and armour of a 2nd century Roman Centurion. The 3D digital figure was then manipulated to create a virtual form of the sculpture. 3000 individual parts of the sculpture were then laser-cut from sheets of steel and welded together to form the final figure.

Special thanks to Sam Steele and Dr Mark Lewis from the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, for modelling, help and advice.

Gallery

Where is it?

This sculpture has been designed and produced by sculptor, artist and designer Sebastien Boyesen, who created the magnificent Guardian sculpture at Abertillery, South Wales.

Visit Sebastien’s website for more information.

‘The Centurion’ sculpture is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.