Prosthetic hair in ancient Rome

Disability Studies and the Classical Body

“…It is possible that Gallus and Statyllius were real historical figures whose likenesses were captured in Martial's and Myrinus' satirical epigrams during the late first century CE, while Giton and Encolpius are both characters in Petronius' satirical novel Satyricon, which dates to the middle of the first century CE. In all three examples, we see individuals, both male and female, wearing wigs, and this seems to have been reflective of a reality in which both men and women wore wigs and hair pieces in ancient Roman society (Draycott, 2018b). However, the differences in the ways that works of ancient literature describe men and women wearing wigs and hair pieces are clear.…”

“…There is also archaeological and bioarchaeological evidence that supports all three literary accounts, as numerous examples of wigs and hair pieces have been recovered from tombs and graves dating to the Roman period from sites around the empire (Draycott, 2018b). These range from hair extensions in the form of braids that could be used to supplement existing hair and elaborate upon hair styles to full wigs (for braids, see discoveries from France and Britain, at Audollent, 1921, p. 163;Audollent, 1923, pp.…”

“…Again, the reasoning that lay behind this was likely due to the nature of the material itself. Since human hair comes in a variety of colours and textures, one can choose: it would appear that blonde hair was particularly popular in imperial Rome, for example (Ovid, Amores 1.14.45-46, Art of Love 3.163-168, 3.242-250; Martial, Epigrams 14.26 refers to 'Teutonic locks' (teutonicos capillos); Draycott, 2018b). Although wigs and hair pieces made from other types of textile such as leather and plant fibres are attested, these would have been in one fixed style.…”