0226 An Icon of Ugliness – Eutropius the Eunuch

Abstract

Theoretically, ugliness as aesthetic concept—more than the absence of beauty—first came to the fore in the 19th century. This contribution uses the late Latin poet Claudian (370–404 CE) to show that his invective epic against the consul and eunuch Eutropius (d. 399 CE) already created a notion of ugliness through the juxtaposition of the splendid consular robes and the "ugliness" of Eutropius's body.

Keywords

• aesthetic concept
• beauty
• ugliness
• eutropius the eunuch
• latin poet claudian (370–404 ce)
• consular robes
• virtue