Himation

Statues at the "House of Cleopatra" in Delos, Greece. Woman and man wearing himations

A himation (/hɪˈmætiˌɒn/ hə-MAT-ee-un,[1] Ancient Greek: ἱμάτιον) was a type of clothing, a mantle or wrap worn by ancient Greek men and women from the Archaic period through the Hellenistic period (c. 750–30 BC).[2] It was usually worn over a chiton and/or peplos, but was made of heavier drape and played the role of a cloak or shawl.[2] When the himation was used alone, without a chiton, it served both as a chiton and as a cloak.[2] The himation was markedly less voluminous than the Roman toga. Many vase paintings depict women wearing a himation as a veil covering their faces.[3]

The himation continued into the Byzantine era as "iconographic dress" used in art and by the lower classes, worn by Christ, the Virgin Mary, and biblical figures.[4]

  1. ^ "HHimation". Merriam-Webster.
  2. ^ a b c Mark, Joshua J. "Ancient Greek Clothing". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  3. ^ Renshaw, James (2008). In Search of the Greeks. London: Bristol Classical Press. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-8539-9699-3.
  4. ^ "Himation – Bible Clothing". www.bibleclothing.com. Retrieved 2023-06-03.