Historical Context
Roman society played host to a wide variety of colors and ethnic backgrounds, with citizens originating from both Europe and North Africa. Where were all of the white people in the Roman Empire? This is a question that has been asked for centuries and still remains largely shrouded in mystery.
Recent archaeological and anthropological research reveals that a majority of ancient Roman individuals, however, would have resembled modern-day Mediterranean populations of Africa and Europe. Ancient Roman individuals from the tombstones of various cultures and periods have been found, with the majority being categorized as mid-dark brown in skin tone and with dark hair.
Average Daily Lives
What did the average Roman look like and how did they live? Roman society was quite diverse, with people of European and North African descent sharing a common culture and language. As a result, the typical Roman would have likely been a dark-haired and dark-skinned individual. In addition, they would have likely engaged in activities that were common to the region, such as farming and animal husbandry.
In fact, a study from the University of Manchester found that the remains of dozens of individuals from the Roman period showed that their ancestors hailed from different ethnic backgrounds. This suggests that the people of Rome were not simply homogenous in ethnic origins, but rather, a diverse and multifaceted society.
Romans In Art
Artwork from the period has depicted Romans as having lighter skin than is typically expected. To this day, depictions of Roman gods and goddesses continue to feature light skin. This may be related to the propaganda of that time period, as lighter skin symbolized higher status. Furthermore, the concept of race and skin color was not considered the same in the Roman Empire as it is today, so these representations should not be taken as articles of truth.
The light skin in art was likely meant to represent a deity or figure of extreme power, rather than a regular individual within the Roman Empire. This theory is further reinforced by other individuals depicted as having mid-darker skin tones often portrayed in paintings and sculptures.
Written Text and Literature
Oral and written records, such as newspapers, suggest that the majority of average citizens of the Roman Empire resembled modern-day Mediterranean populations in terms of skin tone and other features. Statues and busts of the era also indicate similar features.
A number of scientific studies have been conducted in an attempt to shed light on the question of Roman skin color. In a 2018 study, archaeologists examined the remains of 34 individuals from Italy, Spain and France and found that the majority exhibited dark skin tones. This reinforces the notion that the citizens of Rome held a range of skin tones and ethnic backgrounds.
Conclusion of Romans
To conclude, ancient Romans were likely a diverse group of dark-haired and dark-skinned individuals of European and North African background- similar in many ways to modern-day Mediterranean populations. Artwork and literature of the period may have depicted lighter skinned figures, but this should not be taken as a representation of the skin color of the general population. Rather, this artwork was likely intended to signify a certain level of power. Furthermore, recently conducted scientific studies have indicated that the average person in the Roman Empire likely had mid-darker skin tones.
What Latin Language Comprehension
Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire, and as a result, most of the written records for this period in history were composed in Latin. Therefore, gaining an understanding of the language is essential for anyone interested in researching the period. Latin is a classical language, and its grammar and structure are quite different from modern languages. For example, Latin utilizes highly complex verb conjugations and gender-based word endings.
Fortunately, there are many resources available to those wishing to learn Latin. Many universities offer Latin language courses, while online resources and textbooks can also provide a foundation in the language. Additionally, there are a number of free online resources, such as the Latin Dictionary, which can aid in comprehension.
Alternative Perspectives
Investigation of this topic is further complicated by a lack of reliable sources. As the Roman Empire predates contemporary records, much of what is known about the period has been derived from anthropological research or artistic interpretations. As such, there is no one definitive answer to the question of what average citizens from the Roman Empire looked like.
Due to the difficulty in determining with certainty the appearance of the Roman people, experts have conceded that the only way to gain more insight about this mystery is to continue to explore archaeological materials, as well as literature, writings, and other artistic works from the period.
Dealing With Human Responses
In addition to the historical and archaeological aspects of the Roman Empire, another factor in determining the appearance of its people is the human response. There is evidence to suggest that people during this era felt a need to represent their society in a certain way- one that often involved exaggerating ethnic differences and sometimes idealizing them.
Humans tend to try and create an ideal version of themselves and their culture. Therefore, the artwork and images of this period are likely to be distorted or inaccurate depictions of reality. As a result, any conclusions drawn from these sources must be taken with a grain of salt, and additional information must be sought in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the people of the Roman Empire.
Analysis of Skin Color
In analyzing the skin color of the ancient Romans, it is important to take into account archaeological, historical, and even human response factors. Through this analytical process, experts have concluded that the average Roman was a dark-haired and dark-skinned individual, from a variety of European and North African backgrounds. Contrary to popular belief, depictions of Roman gods and goddesses with lighter skin likely do not reflect reality, but rather intended to signify a certain level of power. Furthermore, Latin language comprehension is essential for anyone looking to gain a greater understanding of ancient Roman culture. Ultimately, the truth of what average Romans looked like is likely to remain shrouded in mystery and open to interpretation.
