I am the wife of King Togidubnus, and although I have never been to Rome, I take care to keep up with all the latest fashions there.

Each morning when I get up, my slaves help me to get dressed.
First I put on a fine white linen undertunic. Then I choose my dress (stola) for the day. I have several in different styles and colours. My best ones are made from fine silk from China. I wear a woven belt on top of my stola, around the waist, and then sometimes put on a shawl (palla) wearing it across my body and pinning it with a brooch on my shoulder. When I go outside, I drape my palla over my head, taking care not to spoil my hair. I wear light leather shoes in the house.

Then my slaves put on my make-up. First they clean my skin with a paste of crushed barley, honey and eggs. This is washed off with water, and then they put on a foundation made from lanolin (fat from sheep's wool), and stain my lips and cheeks with red blusher made from oil and red powder. My eyebrows are darkened with soot, and my eyelids coloured with ash.

Next my slaves plait and curl my hair, fixing it with bone or jet pins. It takes a long time and I get very angry when they tug it too hard!

Lastly, I put on my jewellery. It takes ages to choose, as my jewellery box is full of lovely brooches, rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. The best are made from gold, pearls and precious stones, but I also have enamelled bronze brooches for everyday wear.