Gifts of clothing in late antique literature / by N.K. Rollason.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rollason, N. K., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Men's clothing.

History.

Gifts.

Manners and customs.

Greece--Social life and customs--Sources.

Greece.

Rome--Social life and customs--Sources.

Rome.

Gifts--History--To 1500.

Men's clothing--History--To 1500.

Gifts in literature.

Clothing and dress in literature.

Authority in literature.

Social structure in literature.

Greek literature--History and criticism.

Greek literature.

Latin literature--History and criticism.

Latin literature.

Rome (Empire).

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

History.

Sources.

Physical Description:

203 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Farnham, Surrey, England : Ashgate, [2016]

Summary:

"Both clothing and gifts in the ancient world have separately been the subject of much scholarly discussion because they were an integral part of Greek and Roman society and identity, creating and reinforcing the relationships which kept a community together, as well as delineating status and even symbolising society as a whole. They have, however, rarely been studied together despite the prevalence of clothing gifts in many ancient texts. This book addresses a gap in scholarship by focusing on gifts of elite male clothing in late antique literature in order to show, that when they appeared in texts, these items were not only functioning in an historical or 'real-life' sphere but also as a literary space within which authors could discuss ideas of social relationships and authority. This book suggests that authors used items which usually formed part of the costume of authority of the period--the trabea of the consul, the chlamys of the imperial court and the emperor, and the pallium of the Christian bishops--to 'over-write' wearers and donors as confident figures of 'official' authority when this may have been open to doubt"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Fashioning Ancient Dress

Clothing as a Literary Device

The Value of Clothing in Gift-giving Practice

Research Questions and Methodology

Chapter Outline

1. Threads of History : Clothing Gifts in Greek and Roman Society Before Late Antiquity

The Homeric period

Classical Greece

The Hellenistic Period

The Roman Republic and the Transition to Empire

The Early Empire : Case Study: Martial

The Transition to Late Antiquity

Conclusions

2. Weaving a Tranquil Work of Peace? : Clothing Gifts in Late Antique Diplomacy

Woven Works of Peace

Clothed Intimidation

Recognisable Robes, Recognisable Roles

Protective and Subordinating Clothing

Clothing Gifts and Sassanid Persia

Case study: Clothing Fit for a King : Tzath of the Lazi

3. Portable Portraits : Consular Trabeae and Figural Decorations in Late Antiquity

Figural Decoration on Non-Consular Clothing

The Trabea

A Trabea Store? : Obtaining Consular Vestments

Figural Decoration on the Consular Trabea I : Consular diptychs

Figural Decoration on the Consular Trabea II : Poetry

Case study: Wearing the Emperor : Ausonius' Consular Trabea

4. Holy Habits : Clothing Gifts in Late Antique Christian Contexts

(A)dressing Christian Charity : the Benefits of Clothing

Clothing Relics

Fitting Clothing

Fake Couture and Fashion Disasters

Threads of Tension

Under the Mantle of Orthodoxy

Case Study: Fashioning and Refashioning Antony's Vestment

5. Drawing the Threads Together : Conclusions.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781472435736

1472435737

OCLC:

924683444