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Samnite women

Евсеенков А.С.

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A painted slab depicting a funeral dance from Ruvo (Tomb of the Dancers). Inv. No. 9357. 5-4 century BC

The Samnites are an ancient Italian people, whose women, like men, were a combination of Greek and Italian cultures in terms of material culture. This is primarily due to the geographical location-the south of the Italian Peninsula. The main evidence of the Samnite material culture dates back to the 5th-3rd centuries BC, due to the weakening of the foreign policy of ancient Greece.Etruria, before the Samnite conquest by the Romans.

The main differences between fashion in women's clothing from Roman and Greek are mainly reflected in the patterns on fabrics and hats. It was the Samnites who actively used various types of shawls and turban-shaped hats. Also, most likely, unlike Greek and Roman women, they could actively dye their fabrics, and not just embroider various patterns.

Samnite vase painting. 4th-3rd century BC
Samnite vase painting. 4th-3rd century BC
Fresco from Paestum. 4-3 centuries BC

Tunics (tunics), as well as Samnite men , were different in type and degree of Greco-Italian influence. There were also women's tunics in the usual Greek style with appropriate drapery, and closer to the Roman tunics. They were also worn in different ways. There are both closed versions, and with an open one breast. Also, sometimes they just wore a raincoat without covering the chest at all.

Samnite vase painting. 4th-3rd century BC
Fresco from Paestum. 4-3 centuries BC
Samnite vase painting. 4th-3rd century BC

The hair of Samnites is depicted as a rule branching, and even in the case of a headdress, the visible curls have a lush shape. Sometimes there are completely loose hair, but mostly they were collected in a small bun on the back of the head or attached with hats or alternative devices. A small number of images show traces of cosmetics, in particular - white and blush, similar to the one used by Roman women.

The ornaments were the simplest form according to iso. As a rule, these were earrings, necklaces or ring bracelets. Most of the finds are bronze, but most likely gold was also actively used.

Sarno Tomb No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC
Sarno Tomb No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC
Image of a necklace from the tomb of Sarno No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC

Women's clothing

Samnite women's clothing:

Decorating:

Reconstruction

For a better understanding of the integrity of the Samnite image, the easiest way is to take the image of an ancient Greek girl as a basis . There are practically no archaeological finds on the Samnites, and one should rely on pictorial sources. You can also use them to recreate the simplest stylized earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. As a fabric , it is best to use linen or fine wool of plain weave. As the main element of the kit, adding original Samnite elements, you should take a female headdress, as well as add Samnite patterns to clothing. Shoes should also be reproduced according to ISO, it is possible to rely in stylizations on Greek and Roman analogues.

Related topics

Samnites-literature, Samnite Warrior, Samnite Wars, Women in Ancient Greece, Women in Ancient Rome, Fabrics in antiquity

Literature

The samnite womans appearance. 1995

Collection of vase paintings with Samnite themes

Gallery

Samnite vase painting. 4th-3rd century BC
Image of a Samnite necklace. Sarno Tomb No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC
A picture of a Samnite tree, possibly a woman. Naples, Museo Archeologico Nazionale. 5th-4th century BC
Fresco from Paestum. 4-3 centuries BC

Samnite archaeological non-military finds

Finds from Sarno tomb No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC
Finds from Sarno tomb No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC
Finds from the tomb of Sarno No. 1801. Museo Archeologico della Valle del Sarno, Sarno, Campania, Италия. 4th century BC