Roman Nose Shape – Can Surgery Refine a Strong Curved Bridge?
Roman nose, which is also known as the Aquiline nose, is a rare nasal shape often found in the ethnicities, but not limited to, populations with Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and European ancestry.
The nose has a distinct shape that makes it stand out as one of the most desirable noses. It’s characterized by a strong but slightly curved bridge that extends from the forehead and often has a pointed tip.
Due to its strong features and uniqueness, the nose shape has been associated with strength, nobility and leadership.
Despite being a highly unique and prominent nasal shape, some people, especially those who have a convex Roman nose shape, want to correct it with rhinoplasty. Let’s learn more about the Roman nasal shape, ethnicity, historical significance and also the rhinoplasty treatments available if you want to change it.

Overview of the Roman Nasal Structure
The Roman nose, which resembles an eagle’s beak, is a popular and rare nasal shape that is characterized by a slightly curved, prominent bridge, a pointed tip and also a slightly bent shape.
The aquiline nose, the second name of the Roman nasal profile, has a deep meaning. It comes from the Latin aquilinus, meaning “eagle-like” because of its appearance on the bridge of the nose.
The Roman nose ethnicity is not linked to any specific group but is found in many groups of the world.
See Also: Greek Nose Shape
Historical Perceptions of the Roman Nose
The Roman nasal structure is seen as a symbol of beauty, nobility and leadership, especially in the people of Europe.
This was proved in a famous ancient story, Oroonoko (1688), where an African prince was mentioned to have a Roman nasal profile to make him look more powerful and noble.
There is no scientific evidence supporting claims that this nasal shape symbolizes power, nobility, or strength
It was common in the physiognomy belief to consider the Roman nasal shape as a sign of strength, power and superiority, a snub nose a sign of weakness and a heavy nose coarseness or “low character.”
These were used mainly to stereotype and judge people based on their appearance. But, they are not scientifically proven traits or the true symbols of the Roman nose.
See Also: African Nose Shape
Distinct Features of the Roman Nasal Profile
The unique traits of the Roman nose are what make it distinct from other shapes of the nose:

- It has a strong and high bridge.
- Shows a slight curve or convex shape.
- Often extends smoothly from the forehead.
- Sometimes ends with a pointed tip.
- Looks bold and prominent compared to other nose shapes.
- Gives the face a striking and defined profile.
See Also: Button Nose Shape
Cultural Significance of the Roman Nasal Profile
This nasal shape has different symbols and the sentiments in different cultures:

- European Aristocracy: Viewed this nose as a marker of noble blood and powerful heritage.
- Native American Traditions: Often likened to the “eagle nose,” representing bravery and inner strength.
- Ancient Rome: Regarded as a natural sign of authority, intellect, and leadership.
- Modern Perceptions: Still valued as a bold, striking feature that enhances facial character.

Aquiline Nose VS Roman Nose
There’s a lot of debate around the Aquiline vs the Roman nose. Some believe they are often considered identical, while some think they’re different.
Their names are used interchangeably, though slight differences exist. Both noses have a curved bridge, but the Roman nose has a gradual, smooth convex curve, while the Aquiline nose has a sharper, more hooked curve.
See Also: Ski Slope Nose

Reasons For Rhinoplasty
Some people, usually with a convex Roman nose shape, want to change their nose for many reasons. They want to reduce the nasal hump or the convex bridge, refine the nasal tip, correct breathing difficulty or the functionality concerns and also achieve a more symmetrical profile.
The best way to change the Roman nasal structure is to have a rhinoplasty, a surgical nose job that reshapes and restructures your nose, making it more refined, defined and smoother.
Mainly, two treatments are used in the rhinoplasty to correct the Roman nasal profile, which includes alar base reduction, Rhinoplasty that reduces the extra bone or cartilage on the nose, and smoothing the bridge.
The second one is Septoplasty, which corrects the deviated septum to fix the functionality issues if the person has any. If you want any of these services from board-certified plastic surgeons in Turkey, Asli Tarcan Clinic is your ideal choice.

Asli Tarcan Clinic: Change Your Roman Nasal Profile
The Roman nose is popular for its unique characteristics, such as a prominent but slightly curved bridge, often a pointed tip and also a slightly bent shape.
The nose has been depicted in many ancient stories as well, including Oroonoko (1688), where the African prince was shown to be noble and more powerful by claiming him to have a Roman nasal shape.
This nose shape doesn’t have any specific ethnicity as it’s found in many different populations, especially in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and European ancestry. This nose shape is considered to be a sign of beauty, strength, leadership and nobility. However, these claims aren’t scientifically proven and are considered to be false beliefs.
If, for any reason, you want to change your Roman nasal shape and make it more defined and smoother, removing the curve, contact Asli Tarcan Clinic today!

This article is medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Umit Taskin (E.N.T. Surgeon)
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What does it mean if you have a Roman nose?
A Roman nasal profile features a strong, curved bridge and a pointed tip, unlike a snub nose, which is often associated with perceived weakness.
Is the Roman nasal profile attractive?
Beauty is subjective, but generally, this shape of the nose is considered to be attractive because of its unique, prominent bridge and the pointed nasal tip.
What ethnicity has a Roman nose?
It’s found worldwide but often in the populations of the Middle Eastern, European and also the Mediterranean.
