Roman Hair and Beards

Questions What type of hairstyles are popular among women today? What type of hairstyles are popular among men today? Do hairstyles change popularity? Why or why not? What influences hairstyle? What does a beard say about a man today?

Women Hairstyles Roman women originally dressed their hair with great simplicity. One of the simplest styles of wearing the hair was allowing it to fall down in tresses behind, and only confining it by a band encircling the head.

Women Hairstyles (continued) Simple hairstyles for married women changed during the reign of the Emperor Augustus when a variety of different and elaborate hairstyles came into fashion. The clothing fashions of Roman women remained relatively simple and unchanging and as women had no special dress that distinguished their status the wealthy women wore luxurious materials, highly elaborate hairstyles, make-up and expensive jewelry.

Roman Hairstyles (Empire) During the rule of the Flavian emperors (69-138 BC) hairstyles were raised to a great height by rows of false curls.

Hair Accessories Various accessories were used to create elaborate and striking hairstyles. The accessories used to create the elaborate hairstyles were as follows: Perfume was applied to provide pleasant smelling hair Curling tongs were used to create hairstyles A variety of different combs and hairbrushes were used Hairnets were worn made of finely woven gold wires Wire supports were used to create hairstyles Hair pins were used to create hairstyles Ribbons were used to enhance hairstyles Garlands of flowers Precious jewels were thread into the hair and jewels were featured in tiaras and head dresses Gold and pearls were also popular as hair accessories and to create intricate hairstyles

Ornatrices – Roman Hairdressers As the Roman Hairstyles for women became more elaborate and an important sign of status it became necessary for slaves to create the latest fashionable hairstyles. These slaves were highly skilled and valued. The Roman slave hairdressers were called ornatrices.

Roman Men’s Hair The Roman Hairstyles for men changed over the years. In early times the Romans wore their hair long but after the introduction of barbers into Italy about B.C. 300, it became the practice to wear their hair short.

Thinning Caesar A full head of hair was prized by Roman men and Julius Caesar went to great pains to hide his thinning hair. It is said that of all the honors decreed to Caesar by the senate he was best pleased with that of always wearing a laurel crown, because it covered his baldness, which was considered a deformity.

Julius Caesar with his laurel wreath conspicuously covering up his thinning hair

Evolution of Men’s Hair The leading figure during the period of the Roman Empire was of course the Emperor and if he adopted a new hairstyle then this was quickly adopted by other Roman men.

Nero The Emperor Nero (54-68 CE) adopted elaborate hairstyles with curls framing his face. Roman curling tongs were used for this purpose. Nero set another fashion in hairstyles and started to wear sideburns.

Roman Beards Barbarus – Beards were deemed improper for much of the Roman Republic and it was associated with outside peoples, hence the word: “barbarians”. But Remember, for men, the emperor can dictate the hot fashion trend of the time period.

Hadrian The Emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE) was the first emperor to wear a short beard which then became quite common among Roman men.

Constantine In his later years the Emperor Constantine wore false hair of various colors which was carefully arranged and perfumed. Wealthy Roman men followed his lead and dyed their hair in a variety of dark and light shades and the wearing of wigs also became fashionable.

Roman Influences Continue Today