Hair Styles in Ancient Rome

 

Ancient Roman Hairstyles

Women:

• Early Republic: Simple styles, often parted in the middle and tied in a bun or knot at the back (the “tutulus” for matrons).
• Late Republic & Empire: More elaborate, with braids, curls, and hairpieces. Wealthy women wore towering styles with intricate curls (the “nodus” and “flavian” styles), sometimes using wigs and pins.
• Accessories: Gold pins, jeweled combs, ribbons, and nets (reticula) were popular.

Men:

• Early Rome: Hair was worn long and beards were common.
• Later Republic: Short hair and clean-shaven faces became fashionable, influenced by Greek styles.
• Imperial Period: Emperors set trends; Augustus favored a neat, forward-combed look, while Hadrian brought beards back into fashion.

Children:

• Boys often had a single lock of hair (the “bulla”) until coming of age.
• Girls wore simple styles, sometimes with ribbons.

 Lower Classes:

• Simpler, practical styles, often short or tied back.

Roman hairstyles reflected social status, fashion trends, and even political allegiance, with the elite often using their hair to display wealth and sophistication.