Abstract

The portraits of Roman women from the middle period of the empire (c. 70–120 AD) are showing a large variety of coiffures, whereby they differ from the time before and after this period. Only some of the coiffures are imitating the coiffures of imperial women, the majority being independent from these models. The Roman women could choose between different popular patterns, but there are also individual creations with no parallels. Apparently some women have tried with the luxurious display of their hairdressing to outshine other women, including even the empresses. The remarkable individuality of many female portraits of this period can be recognized by the realistic rendering of their physiognomies, too.