Caesars loved tweezers! Plucking Romans were obsessed with hair removal

Vanity & Plucking: A public & private obsession

More than 50 pairs of tweezers have been found at one of Roman Britain’s largest settlements, providing a link into the deep-rooted history of hair removal practices! Wroxeter City Shropshire is the place of this discovery, and the unveiling of some 400 plus items, most of which have never publicly been displayed, happened at the opening of a fascinating new museum in the Roman city.

These archaeological treasures offers invaluable insights into the grooming rituals and beauty ideals of Roman men and women. Beyond mere vanity, these practices were intrinsic to the Romans’ pursuit of cleanliness and impeccable public image, dominating a significant part of their daily lives , reports the charity English Heritage in a press release .

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This is food for thought the next time we are removing our armpit or pubis hair, knowing the obsession for shorn hair and smooth skin emanates from ancient times. An obsession that transgressed across socio-economic boundaries in the Italian peninsula, as the rich and poor were both obsessed with grooming.

Read more: Ancient Origins

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