Cosmetics in Roman Antiquity

Substance, Remedy, Poison

Bibliographic Data

ID3701441
AuthorsKelly Olson (corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume102
Issue3
Pages291-310
Publication date2009-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Classical World (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0009-8418 • E-ISSN: 1558-9234
PublisherProject MUSE (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1353/clw.0.0098
OpenAlexW2026143559
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited18

Mention of ancient makeup, allusions to its associations, and its connection to female beauty are scattered throughout Latin literature. It may seem a minor, even unimportant concern, but nonetheless one from which we may recover aspects of women's historical experience and knowledge of women as cultural actors. The present study is concerned solely with cosmetics and what impact they may have had on women's realities and on perceptions of women. Although the evidence I collect and present here is mainly literary, evidence of material remains is given where possible. This study is intended as a detailed look at cosmetic substance

Ancient history · Art · Cosmetics · Late Antiquity · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classics · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Medicine