A strigil was a curved, metal tool used in Roman baths to scrape sweat, dirt, and excess oil off the skin after exercising or bathing. The strigil was part of the daily bathing ritual in Roman society, which emphasized cleanliness and health.
Wealthy Romans often had their slaves use strigils on them, while public baths provided them for general use.
Strigils have been discovered at archaeological sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum, indicating their widespread use among Romans of different social classes. Some strigils were made of bronze or iron and were ornately decorated, reflecting the status of their owners.
« Back to Glossary Index
