1. Everything you say is so unbearably boring, by Hercules, that it’s murder by monotony. (Plautus) 2. No one thinks you’re worth his attention, his time, a vote, a place in society, or even the light of day. (Cicero) 3. You’re an informer and a mud raker, a con-man wheeler-dealer, a gigolo and an educator … More Insults From Ancient Rome
So, I really love the hot and humid summers of southeastern Louisiana. Really, I do. I would much rather deal with the heat than the cold of the far north. However, at outdoor events, I hate sweating through three layers of garb and literally being soaked all day. I came across this painting from the … More 15th Century Roman Garb?!?
Taken from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22546056/ns/health/t/suffering-beauty-has-ancient-roots/#.Xw9Zwi2z01g https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2151541/Vanity-mirror-used-tragic-18th-century-society-beauty-27-died-make-poisoning-sells-300-000.html https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/05/16/313154674/mirror-mirror-does-fairest-mean-most-beautiful-or-most-white http://www.elizabethancostume.net/makeup.html She had been the 18th century equivalent of Angelina Jolie; a celebrity who caused men to faint in awe of her beauty. Maria Gunning was the eldest of the four daughters of John Gunning of Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, she and two of her sisters were known as the … More Death By Vanity – The History of Makeup Poisioning
I’ve been invited to speak to an archaeology class at Tulane University this Thursday! I chose my favorite, and most appropriate subject, Roman Cosmetics. I will also give a little background information on the Roman adaptation of Egyptian cosmetic practices since the class focus is on pre-Coptic times. Let’s start with why I’m speaking to … More Roman Cosmetics for CSAN 3902
Why am I posting about the Romans on a site dedicated to re-creating a woman of the Renaissance (Venice/ Ferrara/ Florence 1400-1600)? Because Giata would have been obsessed with these tidbits as well 🙂 Of course, we have more information about the Romans than those curious Renaissance ragazzi. In the spirit of anachronism I do not … More Roman Obsession
So, lately I’ve been on a food and herb kick. I thought I’d share a couple recipes that I’ve come across to whet your appetite for my two upcoming posts of research papers on Florentine herbal recipes and Greco-Roman beverages 🙂 Recipes from Roman Britain Pear Patina Serves 4 •1½ lb firm pears. •10fl oz … More Recipes from Roman Britain
Does the modern prevelance of gastric bypass surgery, breast augmentation, and diet pill infomercials make you wonder if we are the only society obsessed with physical appearance? Well, wonder no more. While we grew up with afterschool specials on the dangers of anorexia and bullemia, the Romans… did not. Read below for an interesting list that I … More Lose Weight The (Ancient) Roman Way
Think of this game as a predecessor of Connect Four 🙂 ~As taught by La Signora Onorata Giata Alberti at the Academy of Performing Arts, Gleann Abhann~ Calculi, or “Five in a Row” is a Roman game played on the same board as Latrunculi. Each player has 33 pieces, in opposite colors. The traditional rules of Calculi, … More Calculi – The Roman Game of Strategy
For those interested in viewing period heraldry here is a list of Rolls of Arms (with links) containing pre-17th century Italian and Iberian examples: Armorial of the Order of the Annunciation, 1362 and later, Italian http://www.heraldique-europeenne.org/Armoriaux/Annonciade/Amedee_VI.htm Armorial of Cataluña, Castille and Portugal, 15th-16th century, Iberian http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/bsb00001370/images/index.html? William Bruges’s Garter Book c.1430 to c.1440 English roll of European … More Italian and Spanish Rolls of Arms and Impresa
Want to know the beauty secrets of Roman women? Read on for the notes from my research paper on Roman Cosmetics. In order to recover aspects of the lives of historical women I have looked to sources on their dress and mannerisms. Most recently I have found information on their beauty products that gives … More Roman Cosmetics
La Bella Donna 