As to old women, they likewise denuded their pubis of the bristles in order to appear less decrepit. Martial, X., 90.
“Ligella, do you pluck your old affair, and stir the ashes of your burnt-out fire?”
Refinements such as those are for young maidens; you are in error if you think that thing a vulva that a man’s member will no longer recognize.”
The depilation of the vulva was also used as a punishment.
Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae, 545, 6.
“We will pluck her pubis, and teach her so, woman as she is, not to speak ill of women.”
The same punishment was inflicted upon adulterous women taken in the act; a black radish or a mullet was introduced into her anus, which was then depilated, as well as her pubis, with burning cinders. Aristophanes, Clouds, 1079:
“What, must you suffer the empalement with the radish, and the hot cinders?”
Suetonius, under the word ——: “Thus they treated adulteresses who had been caught in the act: they took black radishes and planted them in their anus, which they rubbed with hot cinders, after having torn out the hair.”
[28]. To understand this, the sentence must be complete; the worthy Forberg takes his readers far too learned; Mania, in the poem of Machon, says to Demetrius, offering her buttocks: “Son of Agamemnon, it is now your turn to have them,—you who have ever been so liberal with your own.” (Note of the translator.)