Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society What Made You Ugly In Ancient Rome?
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May 2, 2025 Emma Southon, a historian and author specializing in ancient Rome, joins the discussion to explore the quirky beauty standards of the era. She shares fascinating insights on grooming routines and the cultural significance of beards during Emperor Hadrian's reign. The conversation delves into how beauty ideals connected to wealth, the extreme measures taken for attractiveness, and the enduring nature of these standards through history. Listeners will appreciate the humorous anecdotes and surprising parallels to contemporary norms in body image.
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Roman Eyebrow and Skin Standards
- Romans loved thick, often connected eyebrows filled with coal and black dye as a beauty standard.
- Pale white skin symbolized wealth and leisure, contrary to modern tanning preferences.
Extreme Roman Cosmetics
- Romans used extreme cosmetics like white lead and crocodile dung for skin lightening despite harmful effects.
- Such practices often caused skin damage rather than enhancing beauty.
Men’s View on Roman Makeup
- Roman men disparaged women’s makeup as silly, while women likely used it for self-expression and social interaction.
- Men’s writings reveal a lack of understanding of female community and beauty culture.