THE IMPERIAL DISTRESS: THE VAIN LEGAL ATTEMPTS MADE BY ROMAN EMPERORS TO LIMIT LUXURY IN ROMAN SOCIETY.

I have conducted a study which is an analysis of the most important laws created during the different ages of the Ancient Roman era, from 212 BC until 391 AD, relating to luxury, fashion and lifestyle matters. My work is, therefore, a survey through which I explored the Ancient Roman world of luxury by underlining the different laws created by emperors to limit luxury and opulence in Roman society which was a serious issue at the time. The methodology used for this paper is based on the reading and the investigation of historic texts and laws related to the luxury lifestyle conducted by Romans, both male and female . By applying this method, I was able to trace and analyse, thanks to the many stories and leges which mentioned luxury items and referenced fashion and jewelry, the history of luxury legislation in the age of Ancient Rome as well as the problemsin society that emperors had to face on a daily basis and tried to solve in vain. Thus the main purpose of this study is the historic outline of the laws related to the luxury-lifestyle of Roman society dictated by emperors which constituted the first fashion and luxury law legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]