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May 2025
47m 49s

What Made You Ugly In Ancient Rome?

History Hit
About this episode

What was a Roman skincare routine like? Why did the beard make a comeback under Emperor Hadrian? And what did it mean to be ugly in this time?


In this new mini-series, we'll be exploring the beauty standards - and ideas of ugliness - throughout time periods in history.


Starting today with Ancient Rome, Kate is joined by historian and author Emma Southon to find out why Romans would have loved the recent bushy eyebrow trend.


Find out more about Emma's work here: https://www.emmasouthon.com/


This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

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