Textiles and Dress

Himation

A himation ( him-AT-ee-on, -⁠ən; Ancient Greek: ἱμάτιον) (plural: himatia) 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). It was usually worn over a chiton or peplos, but was made of heavier drape and played the role of a cloak or shawl. When the himation was used alone, without a chiton, it served both as a chiton and as a cloak. The himation was markedly less voluminous than the Roman toga. Many vase paintings depict women wearing a himation as a veil covering their faces. 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.

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See also

• ▸Hussar
• ▸Ancient Semitic-speaking peoples
• ▸Frock coat

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