The Power of Fashion in the Roman Empire

This research-based anthology accompanies the special exhibition The Power of Fashion in the Roman Empire, on view at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen in 2026–2027. Bringing together contributions by thirteen leading international scholars from universities in England, the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark, the volume explores the relationship between fashion, dress, power, and identity in the Roman world, with a particular focus on Roman portraiture. The anthology examines dress and appearance as forms of visual communication, exploring how clothing, hairstyles, jewellery, footwear, colour, and bodily appearance were used to construct, express, and negotiate identity and social status. It considers how representations of dress in ancient art can be interpreted as evidence of Roman clothing and appearance, while also taking into account the conventions and idealisations that shaped visual representations. Particular attention is given to the ways in which power and status were communicated through dress and portraiture. Contributions from Cecilie Brøns, Sue Blundell, Anders Larsen, Lena Larsson Lovén, Eve d’Ambra, Mary Harlow, Maria MacKinney, Marie-Louise Bech Nosch, Kelly Olson, Lauren Hackworth Petersen, Ursula Rothe, Marchella Ward.