Clothing in ancient Rome facts for kids
Clothing in ancient Rome identified gender, status, rank and social class. Most clothing was simple in structure and basic form, and its production required minimal cutting and tailoring, but all was produced by hand and every process required skill, knowledge and time. Spinning and weaving were thought virtuous, frugal occupations for Roman women of all classes. Relative to the overall basic cost of living, even simple clothing was expensive, and was recycled many times down the social scale. Most Romans wore colourful clothing. Clean, bright clothing was a mark of respectability and status among all social classes.
The toga was considered Rome's "national costume," privileged to Roman citizens but for day-to-day activities most Romans preferred more casual, practical and comfortable clothing; the tunic, in various forms, was the basic garment for all classes, both sexes and most occupations. It was usually made of linen. In colder parts of the empire, full length trousers were worn. Most urban Romans wore shoes, slippers, boots or sandals of various types; in the countryside, some wore clogs.
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The toga: symbol of Roman citizenship
The toga is perhaps the most iconic garment of ancient Rome. However, it wasn't just any piece of clothing; its style, color, and material spoke volumes about the wearer's status and age.
- The Toga Pura: The purest form of the toga, made of undyed white wool, was the ultimate symbol of Roman citizenship. A full toga could weigh several pounds and required skill to drape correctly. The process of putting on a toga was itself a ritual, often assisted by slaves. Think of it like a very complicated and heavy cape!
The toga wasn't just a one-size-fits-all garment. There were different types of togas for different occasions:
- Toga Candida (white toga): worn by candidates running for public office. Think of it like a "campaign toga"—a way to get noticed!
- Toga Pulla (dark toga): a dark-colored toga worn during mourning.
- Toga Trabea (purple-bordered toga): reserved for high-ranking officials and magistrates. It was a way to show off their important positions.
The toga's style evolved over time. Early togas were simpler, while later styles became more elaborate, with complex folds and drapes. Archaeological evidence, including fragments of woolen fabric found in various Roman sites, helps researchers understand the variations in weaving techniques and the use of different wool qualities over the centuries.
While incredibly important for centuries, the toga's popularity gradually declined after the Roman Empire’s rise. It became less practical for daily life and less common outside of specific ceremonies or official appearances.
The tunica: everyday wear for all
The tunica was the basic undergarment for both men and women in ancient Rome. It was a simple, loose-fitting garment resembling a long shirt or tunic, typically made from linen or wool.
The length of the tunica indicated social standing. Longer tunics were worn by wealthier individuals, while shorter tunics were common among the working class.
Tunics could be plain or decorated with embroidery, stripes, or patterns. The colors could also denote a specific role. For example, purple tunics could have been worn by certain religious officials.
The design of the tunica also evolved over time, with changes in sleeve lengths, necklines, and the use of different fabrics. Archaeological finds, like the well-preserved tunics found in Pompeii and Herculaneum (buried by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD), provide detailed insights into the construction and variations of the tunica across different periods.
The stola: A woman's garment of distinction
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The stola was a long, draped garment worn by Roman women. Similar to the toga, its style and material signified social standing.
Stolas varied in length, fabric, and decoration based on the wearer's social status and the occasion. Wealthier women could wear elaborately embroidered stolas.
Often worn over the stola, the palla was a shawl-like garment that added another layer of warmth and elegance. It could be made of various materials and adorned with different embellishments.
The stola was more than just clothing; it represented a woman's role in Roman society. The way a woman wore her stola could convey her status within her family and community.
Footwear and accessories
Footwear in ancient Rome included sandals, shoes, and boots, with variations based on class and function. Common materials included leather and linen. Accessories included jewelry, hair ornaments, and belts, reflecting personal taste and status.
Military costume
For the most part, common soldiers seem to have dressed in belted, knee-length tunics for work or leisure. In the northern provinces, the traditionally short sleeved tunic might be replaced by a warmer, long-sleeved version. Soldiers on active duty wore short trousers under a military kilt, sometimes with a leather jerkin or felt padding to cushion their armour, and a triangular scarf tucked in at the neck. For added protection from wind and weather, they could wear the sagum, a heavy-duty cloak also worn by civilians.
The sagum distinguished common soldiers from the highest ranking commanders, who wore a larger, purple-red cloak, the paludamentum.
In Mediterranean climates, soldiers typically wore hobnailed "open boots" (caligae). In colder and wetter climates, an enclosing "shoeboot" was preferred. Some of the Vindolanda tablets mention the despatch of clothing – including cloaks, socks, and warm underwear – by families to their relatives, serving at Brittania's northern frontier.
Children and adolescents
Roman infants were usually swaddled. Apart from those few, typically formal garments reserved for adults, most children wore a scaled-down version of what their parents wore. Girls often wore a long tunic that reached the foot or instep, belted at the waist and very simply decorated, most often white. Outdoors, they might wear another tunic over it. Boys' tunics were shorter.
Materials and production
Woolen fabrics were prevalent, with linen being more expensive and often associated with higher status. The production of textiles was a major industry, with both domestic production and larger workshops employing skilled laborers.
The influence of other cultures
Roman clothing wasn't isolated; it reflected influences from various cultures across the empire and beyond. The styles and materials of garments showcased an exchange of ideas and practices throughout the vast Roman territories, resulting in a rich blend of designs.
Clothing and social hierarchy
The clothing worn by people across different social classes mirrored the distinct roles and status within Roman society. The garments worn by senators and emperors, for instance, stood in stark contrast to those worn by farmers or slaves. These distinctions were not only visible but also served as a visible reminder of the complex social stratification that characterized the Roman world.
Images for kids
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4th-century mosaic from Villa del Casale, Sicily, showing girls in an athletic contest
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Statue of a Gallus priest, 2nd century, Musei Capitolini
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Detail of a Paleochristian Roman mosaic from the basilica of Santa Pudenziana in Rome, c. 410 AD, depicting Saint Pudentiana
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Terracotta loom scales from the Roman period, and a modern reconstruction of an ancient loom. Museum of Romanity, Nîmes.
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Workers hanging up clothing to dry, wall painting from a fuller's shop (fullonica) at Pompeii
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Levy of the army during the taking of the Roman census, detail from the marble-sculpted Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus, 122–115 BC, showing two Polybian-era soldiers (pedites) wearing chain mail and wielding a gladius and scutum, opposite an aristocratic cavalryman (eques)
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Roman statue of a Virgo Vestalis Maxima (Senior Vestal)
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The goddess Diana hunting in the forest with a bow, and wearing the high-laced open "Hellenistic shoe-boots" associated with deities, and some images of very high status Romans. From a fresco in the Via Livenza Hypogeum, Rome, c. 350 AD
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Detail of the "Big Game Hunt" mosaic from the Villa Romana del Casale (4th century AD), Roman Sicily, showing hunters shod in calcei, wearing vari-coloured tunics and protective leggings
See also
In Spanish: Indumentaria en la Antigua Roma para niños
- Biblical clothing
- Byzantine dress
- Clothing in ancient Greece
- Clothing in the ancient world
- Roman hairstyles
