HAIR-DRESSING OF ROMAN LADIES AS ILLUSTRATED ON COINS.

61                               NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE

in the majority of cases crown-like plaits or rolls surround the head.

The helmet-like bar at the back of the head, already illustrated (Illust. LXXV.), occurs on the coins of Aelia Flaccilla, wife of Theodosius (died 388 A.D.). In this case the large plait starting from under the ear and rising to the brow must have been artificial. Illust.. LXXVII.

For purposes of comparison I will here insert an illustration of a coin of Honorius (393-423 A.D.)‑Illust. LXXVIII.‑in his helmet. The same type occurs on the coins of Majorianus (457-461 A.D.). It almost looks as if the female imitation had been the sincerest form of flattery. It is a fashion which continues down to the end of the Empire of the West.

The head of Theodora shews a very simple knot with a wreath.

A typical example of the hair-dressing of the fifth century A.D. can be studied on the coins with the head of Galla Placidia (Illust. LXXIX.). She was sister of Honorius and wife of Constantius III (died 450 A.D.), and is well known to travellers in Italy by her splendid tomb at Ravenna.

The general structure of her “head” is like that of Aelia Flaccilla (Illust. LXXVII.), but instead of a wreath she wears what seems to be a network of beads starting from a rosette on the top of the head. As in the case of Aelia Flaccilla and Honorius, this diadem ends in pendent beads or tassels at the neck. The general effect must have been barbaric in splendour, particularly as she also wears long massive ear‑rings, a heavy necklace, and other rich decorations. Above her head is the so-called "hand coming down from above," a device which begins as a closed fist holding a wreath, and ultimately becomes an