HEAD-DRESS, among the Jewish, Grecian, and Roman ladies, as among ourselves, was various, according to the different periods of time, and the fluctuation of fashion. In general, it principally consisted of their hair differently tricked out. It was usually divided before with a hodkin, into two equal parts; sometimes it was covered with a net, or put into a kind of purse, or tied behind in the form of a knot, or bound back and plaited with ribbands. It was washed with great care; essence and perfumes were applied to it, and gold dust sometimes made use of as powder. Pearls and jewels made a part of their ornaments; and pendants worn in the ear. To cover the defect of hair, perukes were made use of by the gentlemen of Rome. And we read that Otho had a covering of false hair, because he had not much of his own. See HAIR and JEWELS.
Both Grecian and Roman ladies wore têtes. But whether they ever built up their heads so high as the
English or our continental neighbours, will admit of a dispute.