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HAIR-DRESSING OF ROMAN LADIES AS ILLUSTRATED ON COINS. |
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48 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE “phiale” from the same hoard, now in the Louvre, shews the portrait of a man, presumably her husband. The unique coin published in the Numismatic Chronicle (Series III. vol. xiv. Pl. I. No. 3), with the portrait of Messalina, wife of Claudius and mother of Octavia, Britannicus, and Antonia, was struck in Crete. She died 48 A.D. She wears the “catogan” of the period, but the curls of the front are rather more emphasized than in the case of Agrippina I. Illust. XIV .Agrippina the Younger, sister of Caligula (16-59A.D.), is almost identical with Antonia, except that, like Messalina, she allows two small curls to stray on her neck. Illust. XV. In the coin of Agrippina II and Nero, face to face, the hair seems to be much more fully curled all over the head. Illust. XVI. With this style may perhaps be compared the sculptured figure of the “seated matron” of the Naples Museum. Livia (57B.C.-29A.D)‑or Julia, since the coins bear no name-has a very simple, dignified way of dressing her hair; the waved locks, with one rolled from the face, are gathered to a tightly-plaited knot behind. Illust. XVII. One lock falls on the neck behind the ear. A lovely head, with a veil and diadem, is also assumed to represent her. Illust. XVIII. Domitilla wife of Vespasian (circa 70 A.D.) (No, 202, Montagu Coll.)‑Illust. XIX‑and Poppaea (circa 62A.D.) wife of Nero (Illust. XX) wear a heavy mass of curls on the head with the “catogan.” It will have been noticed that, in the last few instances passed in review, the tendency has been for the fringe over the forehead, at first almost insignificant, to increase
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