Gladiator Gems:
The Jewelry of Acient Rome
By Roy Denunzio
Moviegoers this summer may have gone to Ridley Scott's Gladiator expecting to be
dazzled by the manly fight scenes and, of course, Russell Crowe in a toga, but
many of them ended up paying more attention to the jewels than the duels.
Beautifully adorned Connie Nielsen was mesmerizing with her Roman rings,
diadems, bangles, bracelets, knockout necklaces, and especially those splendid
pendant earrings. Not only was it all historically accurate in design, some
jewelry worn in the film was actually made in ancient Rome.
Dramatic rich, and strong, the jewelry in Gladiator echoed the latest styles of
today. But let's get real: it's our jewelry styles that are casting the
reflection. Clearly, we owe a style debt to the Eternal City.
Since jewelry reflects the culture that produces it, the assertive, powerful,
conquering Latin capital produced a style of ornamentation that was strong, striking,
and utilitarian. No romantic imagery, and no whimsicality -- just solid workmanship,
elegant design, and rich materials. Like the Roman state, it was direct, unapologetic,
pragmatic, and skilled at flattery. It made a definite statement by the sheer uncomplicated
force of its beauty -- not unlike the jewelry of our own time.
Explore the jewelry of our own world, and how the items in your jewelry case probably
bring you closer to the mind of a Roman citizen than you think.
