The Tragedy Of Julius Caesar
...then is the Stola and finally the Palla (if they could afford it). For a Roman man it’s just a simple tunic and toga is worn over it.
A purple stripe worn on the tunic was called a clavus and indicated membership to a particular order:
- the latus clavus (or laticlavium) denoted senators.
- the angustus clavus was the mark of the equestrian order.
So a senator could wear a tunic featuring a vertical broad purple stripe down the center. An equestrian could wear a tunic featuring two vertical narrow purple stripes on either side of the tunic.
The toga was allowed to be worn only by free Roman citizens. Foreigners, or even exiled citizens, could not appear in public wearing a toga.
In the early days the toga was worn directly on the naked body, then later a simple tunic was added, tied at the waist with a belt.
There were some old families with ancient ancestry who insisted on continuing the tradition of dressing without a tunic, but their fellow Romans understood that it was somewhat understandable.
There are certain types of togas which are of note.
Toga pulla: Translated to mean dark toga this was often used by those in mourning, during a protest, or to signify times of angst or danger and was made from black wool.
Toga picta/toga palmata: This is the ‘posh’ variety of toga. Purple with gold embroidery and highly embellished, it was worn by generals during victory celebrations or parades. It was also worn by consuls, magistrates during gladiatorial games, and the emperor on special occasions.
Toga virilis/toga pura: Sported by most Roman men from the age of fourteen (coming of age) onwards this all white toga was used for special occasions. It was the same off-white color as the toga praetexta, but had no distinguishing marks like the toga praetexta's purple stripe.
Toga Sordida: When a toga virilis got dirty, it was considered a toga...
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