BIBLIOGRAPHIC

REFERENCE

G U IDE TO SEL F
FASHIO NI NG I N THE
SEC ON D CEN TU RY

Terms to Know:
Adrogynoi(an-drog-y-nous):
having the shape of a man, but
are feminine in all other
respects
Cinaedus(Ki-nae-dus): sexual
deviance, males who prefer to
play a feminine role in
intercourse with other men,
softness and efficacy (One could
be born a cinaedus, be cursed as
one, be publicly recognized, or
never revealed)
Depilate: removal of hair.

Gleason, The Semiotics of Gender:

Physiognomy and Self-Fashioning in
the Second Century C.E. in
Halperin, Winkler, and Zeitlin
(eds.), Before Sexuality
MEGAN LOUNSBURY
Art of Ancient Italy 337

He whose feet and hands move in

harmony with all the rest of his person,
who moves forward with shoulders calm
and carefully controlled, with his neck
but slightly inclined-he is one whom men
call brave and magnanimous, for his is the
walk of the lion.

THE SEMIOTICS OF GENDER

The physiognomy and self fashioning of the second century played a valuable role in the society. When it came to entrusting or
doing any sort of business transaction, one had to become at least an amateur physiognomist when making risky inferences from
human surfaces to human depths. The competitive atmosphere and the tendency to mistrust another there became a handbook
to reference a type of deception that evolved inside the face to face society. This was a time where the scrutiny of ones fellow
man was not an idle pastime but an essential survival skill.

Physiognomical Deception and

Importance
The desire to improve ones physiognomical
profile was a natural response to the competitive
pressures of face-to-face society. During this time,
this type of self fashioning was a way for each

DE C I P H E R ME N T O F GE ND ER :

Masculine and Feminine types arent restricted to

anatomical sex of the person. It was a common
thought that men are women turned inside out.
Masculinity during this time was an achieved state
rather than birth right. A person of good character
usually has both masculine and feminine traits (courage
and wisdom).

Feminine Traits:
Producing Female Children
Deceptive

Bitter

Little Courage

Rebellious Oppressor

Quarrelsome Soft Dark Hair

Fleshy Skin

Small Facial Features Weak Voice

man to conceal his proper faults in a society that

bases judgement based on the assessments of ones
faults and their perfections. There were people
employed as physiognomists that worked to just
reveal ones true nature and percentages of
feminine and masculine qualities. In a time that
trust and sense of responsibility was put solely on
the judge of their character, giving o the right

PA R ADI GMS O F E F F E M I N ACY:

Androgyny come in two kinds, mild and tame, or rough and wild.
The softer and damper sort of eeminacy that is revealed by
such feminine cues (small rounded chin, soft, unstable knees,
fleshy hips, and a fluid gait). Cinaedi can come to be by birth, or
by force of others. Male prostitues were considered publici
cinaedi, those born as important public figures were considered
lucky cinaedi, those who werent publicly assumed to be
cinaedi were considered hidden cinaedi.

first impression was very important. This is

important to studying Roman art, because we can
see how important political people are fashioning
their own portraits and manipulating their
appearance to give o a desired character
(old=wiser, strong, fighter, brave, and patriotic).
This gave political and powerful people the ability
to create such a desired character, rather than who
they really are.

T H E M O LD ING O F M EN :

It was the nurses duty to assist with the physical development

of the infant male through: molding, massaging, squeezing
and stretching, handing the body upside down, pulling, tying,
pushing, and pressing. This is where the term swaddling
comes from, as it was designed as a method to help with the
physical development. Infant girls were also swaddled to
encourage a shape that in women is more becoming.

Masculine Traits:
Bear Male Children Right Side Favored
Stronger Braver Less Prone to Defects
Sincere Loyal Honorable Respectful
Rough Skin Strong Voice
Prominent Facial Features