Roman slaves were ranked with the lowest status in all of Rome. Therefore, they had the cheapest and more low-quality clothing. For example, slaves were not allowed to wear togas, as those rights were reserved for Roman citizens. The type and condition of the clothing that the Roman slaves wore depended on the role or job that the slave had.

Emeripuella was a Roman female slave, who was owned by Emericus. Emericus was a wealthy and powerful man who owned dozens of slaves, as did many dominant men in that time. Emeripuella was the personal maid and hairdresser of Emericus' wife. Female slaves who played roles as hairdressers were majorly valued by wealthy families, like Emericus', in ancient Rome. She was unwanted and abandoned at birth,