DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5278#0237
197
through Hercules and Proserpine, to Ceres
the goddess of abundance ; each being of pri-
maeval origin, each acknowledged in the re-
ligious code of Athens, and each appropriate
to the subject-matter of the composition.
The drapery* of the Proserpine consists of
* The costume of Grecian females was extremely elegant,
capable of much variety and display of taste, and yet was com-
posed of only two or, at most, three separate garments. The
inner one, or that which was uniformly worn next the person,
was denominated yirwv, chiton, the tunic, and was made of fine
linen or a light cotton stuff. It was formed of two rectangular
pieces, generally sewed together as high as the waist, leaving the
arms at liberty, and fastened round the neck by a button on each
shoulder 5 but in later times fitted with sleeves of different shape
and length. A girdle or belt, (the strophium or either
tied tight immediately beneath the bosom or loosely round the
loins, was generally, but not always, used to confine the
plaits. As a further covering to the upper part, a folded square
piece of cloth was passed under one arm, and connected, like
the tunic, over the two shoulders by buttons, so as to hang down
before and behind : this vestment was sometimes tied down by
the girdle, and at others hung freely over It5 in some instances
it was merely a narrow scarf across the chest, and again reach-
ed to the hips, or even lower : over the whole was thrown the
peplum, TTsirXov, or mantle, of different forms and dimensions.
Much care was bestowed on the manner in which this cloak
was wound about the body -} and from its quality, size, and
arrangement, the dignity of the wearer might be fairly esti-
mated.
through Hercules and Proserpine, to Ceres
the goddess of abundance ; each being of pri-
maeval origin, each acknowledged in the re-
ligious code of Athens, and each appropriate
to the subject-matter of the composition.
The drapery* of the Proserpine consists of
* The costume of Grecian females was extremely elegant,
capable of much variety and display of taste, and yet was com-
posed of only two or, at most, three separate garments. The
inner one, or that which was uniformly worn next the person,
was denominated yirwv, chiton, the tunic, and was made of fine
linen or a light cotton stuff. It was formed of two rectangular
pieces, generally sewed together as high as the waist, leaving the
arms at liberty, and fastened round the neck by a button on each
shoulder 5 but in later times fitted with sleeves of different shape
and length. A girdle or belt, (the strophium or either
tied tight immediately beneath the bosom or loosely round the
loins, was generally, but not always, used to confine the
plaits. As a further covering to the upper part, a folded square
piece of cloth was passed under one arm, and connected, like
the tunic, over the two shoulders by buttons, so as to hang down
before and behind : this vestment was sometimes tied down by
the girdle, and at others hung freely over It5 in some instances
it was merely a narrow scarf across the chest, and again reach-
ed to the hips, or even lower : over the whole was thrown the
peplum, TTsirXov, or mantle, of different forms and dimensions.
Much care was bestowed on the manner in which this cloak
was wound about the body -} and from its quality, size, and
arrangement, the dignity of the wearer might be fairly esti-
mated.