Video: Re-creating the hairstyle of the ancient Roman Vestal Virgins [link to earthsky.org]

The hairstyle is called seni crines. It consists of six braids. Archeologist Elizabeth Barton has said that, in ancient Rome, hair was an expression of personal identity. A number of factors determined which hairstyle a person would wear, including gender, age, social status, wealth and profession. If you were an ancient Roman, your hairstyle told who you were and what your role in society was.

Hair was also used symbolically to mark rites of passage; for instance, loosened hair was common at a funeral. In much this same way, the seni crines hairstyle was worn by brides, in which case it was parted with a spear, Barton has said.