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How to dress like a ROMAN woman in ancient Britain

How to dress like a ROMAN woman in ancient Britain

Name: How to dress like a Roman woman in ancient Britain
Uploaded: 2025-09-17T15:28:23.408Z
Duration: 15 min 58 s
Description: Join us at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire as we recreate an authentic hairstyle and makeup look of a wealthy Roman woman living in Britain from the early fourth century

What would an elite Roman woman have worn on the frontiers of the empire? Join us at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire as we recreate an authentic hairstyle and makeup look of a wealthy Roman woman living in Britain from the early fourth century

Emily Briffett
, Rachel Dinning

Published: January 16, 2026 at 8:04 AM

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Join us at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire, one of Britain's most impressive Roman sites now in the care of the National Trust, as we recreate an authentic hairstyle and makeup look of a wealthy Roman woman living in Britain from the early fourth century.

HistoryExtra's Rachel Dinning joins expert Aimee Williams, visitor experience officer at Chedworth, as she transforms our model Emily with intricate braids, bold blue eyeshadow, and traditional Roman attire. Learn about the fascinating and often bizarre beauty rituals of Roman women, from using rotted leeches in red wine as hair dye, to the rituals of ancient cosmetics grinders.

Authors

Emily BriffettSenior content producer (podcasts)

Emily Briffett is senior content producer (podcasts) at HistoryExtra

Rachel DinningDigital editor (engagement and video)

Rachel Dinning is digital editor (engagement and video) at HistoryExtra

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