The life-size soldiers and guards for the first emperor of China have made way for one of Rome's most celebrated military leaders at the British Museum, as members of Qin Shihuangdi's Terracotta army are to be replaced by artefacts from the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian.

The Terracotta army attracted visitors in their hundreds of thousands to the British Museum during early 2008, but if you want to catch the soldiers who accompanied the emperor to the afterlife, unfortunately you're too late as the exhibition is now closed. However, the same impressive exhibition space is now being extensively prepared for the "Hadrian: Empire and Conflict" exhibition, which is due to open to the public in late July.

Hadrian is most famous in the UK for building the Wall that carries his name along the border between ancient Scotland and England, significant parts of which still remain today. Leader of the Roman Empire from 117 to 138 AD, Hadrian was also renowned for his passion for all things Greek and his interest in architecture. However, despite his love of the arts and culture, Hadrian also had a reputation as a ruthless military commander.

When not conquering the known world or subduing rebellions within the empire during his 21-year reign, Hadrian spent much of his time at his spectacular villa in Tivoli, near Rome. This exhibition features a number of loan materials from recent archaeological digs at the villa (with many on display for the very first time) and also traces Hadrian's ascent from the powerful Spanish elite, his military campaigns and the role played by his long-time lover Antonius.

In addition, Hadrian at the British Museum will look at the iconic architecture from that era of Roman history, trace Hadrian's extensive travels and evaluate his enduring impact on the modern world. The setting for the exhibition is particularly fitting as it will be in the Round Reading Room of the British Museum. The room has a dome which has been compared to the Pantheon in Rome; an architectural masterpiece conceived by Hadrian that still stands in all its glory today.

The exhibition (due to run throughout the summer and up until the end of October 2008) is sure to be as popular as the First Emperor himself. It will offer a number of insights into the Roman world in general, as well as the life of Hadrian in particular and opens to the public on during July. Anyone intending to visit the exhibition would be advised to book in advance, as many history aficionados from across the country will be eager to witness this spectacular exhibition as soon as it's open.

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