Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander, Continuity and Change in Athenian Social and Intellectual History, Property, Social Freedom, and Athenian Women, Restrictions on the Lives of Upper-Class Women, Standards of Beauty

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Standards of Beauty

Since they stayed inside or in the shade so much¹, women rich enough not to have to work maintained very pale complexions. This pallor was much admired as a sign of a enviable life of leisure and wealth, much as an even, all-over tan is valued today for the same reason. Women regularly used powdered white lead as make-up to give themselves a suitably pale look². As depictions of women on vase paintings³, richly decorated and colorful clothing⁴, headbands, coiffures, and jewelry⁵ constituted important aspects of a woman's beauty as well.

1 Xen. Ec. 7.22, Xen. Ec. 7.35

Aristoph. Eccl. 878, Xen. Ec. 10.2

3 Boston 01.8022 [Vase]

Malibu 86.AE.293 [Vase]

4 Clothes and jewelry on vases

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Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander

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Standards of Beauty