Cosmetics & Perfumes in the Roman World

by Susie Stewart

How widely did women use make-up in ancient Rome and what evidence exists? In this pioneering study, the author draws on literary, non-literary, visual, and archaeological evidence to show the importance of cosmetics and perfumes for health, ideas of beauty, social status, as a demonstration of wealth and luxury, and as an expression of gender within the Roman Empire. Covering the 300 years from the writings of Ovid to the Price Edict of Diocletian in AD 301, the study acts as a survey of the perception and reality behind the use of cosmetics and perfumes under the Roman Empire.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written and informative.

[Christine Kalleeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and highly accessible study both on the cosmetic rituals of woman in the Roman Empire and the prevailing attitudes of Roman men towards these predominantly 'feminine' rituals. It seems that not much has changed for women in 2000 years, particularly for aging women. We are still caught in the Catch-22 of finding ourselves 'guilty as charged' of one of two evils: either we are condemned for 'false advertising' because we dye our hair, line our lashes with kohl and rub rosy concoctions on our pallid cheeks to appear more youthful OR we are guilty of 'letting ourselves go' by revealing our slow, natural deterioration to the public (ie. MALE) eye. It is saddening to read the venomous, hostile critiques of women and their beautification rituals by Roman historians and thinkers. Some of them of course are rather funny and I did get a good laugh...nevertheless, not much has changed under the sun!

[Darlene Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a lot of good information