Roman Barbers

• Roman Barbers operated out of barber shops just as they do today, but did not lather up, instead they just used a blunt blade.
• The Barbers were not attached to the Roman Baths.

Method

• They used Razors with narrow Bronze or Iron blades.
• These were notoriously blunt as no soap was ever used.
• Barbers benefited from the Roman beardless tradition, until Hadrian sported a beard, and started a fashion for beards.

Roman Authors’ Views

• Martial (40-104 CE)
  • He commented on a female Barber that she ‘not so much shaves you, but skins you.’
• Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE)
  • He prescribed spider’s webs soaked in oil and vinegar to repair the damage done.