Although the popular image of the Roman man is hardly of someone much bothered with his appearance, in this open, competitive, ‘face to face’ society, the public figure was expected to look the part. As he walked through the Forum or stood up to address the people, his inner qualities were clearly revealed in how he looked. In Barbatus’ case, unless he had simply inherited the name from his father, he sported a splendid beard, which may have been increasingly unusual at the time.
