A new exhibition in Copenhagen is shedding light on the surprising sartorial choices of ancient Roman men, revealing that they frequently wore pink and used perfume as markers of authority and social standing.
Titled “Pink, Perfume and Power,” the showcase challenges contemporary assumptions about color and grooming by exploring how these elements functioned within the cultural and political landscape of the Roman Empire.
Curators note that the use of vibrant dyes, particularly pink derived from expensive sources like madder root or shellfish, was not merely aesthetic but served as a visual language of power. Elite Roman men adopted these styles to distinguish themselves and project influence in public life.
The exhibition also examines the role of perfumes and aromatic oils, which were integral to Roman hygiene and social rituals. Far from being solely associated with femininity in modern contexts, these scented products were widely used by men of high status to signal wealth and refinement.
Visitors are invited to consider how fashion in antiquity was deeply intertwined with identity and hierarchy, offering a fresh perspective on the daily lives of those who shaped one of history’s most influential civilizations.
So Roman guys were basically the original influencers? Scented oils and bright colors for power, got it. History repeats itself.
I wonder if the madder root dye was as expensive as Tyrian purple? That context would help explain the status signaling better.
This is fascinating! It really makes you wonder what other modern taboos are just cultural constructs from another era.
Imagine being told pink is feminine after learning Roman emperors wore it. History has a weird way of shifting definitions.