DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68501#0411
THE TOILETTE IN GREECE.
391
men in the earlier ages seem to have consisted in
spinning, weaving, and embroidering. The Grecian
ladies, in particular, were very celebrated for their
skill in all kinds of needlework. At some of the re-
ligious festivals it was the custom to offer, to the god
or goddess in whose honour it was instituted, a gar-
ment wove and embroidered for that purpose. Thus,
at the Athenian fete in honour of Minerva, a robe was
carried in the procession ; it was of a white colour,
without sleeves, and embroidered with gold : upon
it were described the achievements of the goddess.
Jupiter also, and the heroes, had their effigies in it.
Hence, men of courage and bravery are said to be
worthy to be portrayed in Minerva’s sacred garment,
as in Aristophanes :
“ We will our fathers treat with high esteem,
Whose brave exploits are worthy Attica,
Fit to be portrayed in Minerva’s vest.”
The garments worn by the Grecian priests were
very costly and magnificent; they differed according
to the gods in whose honour they were officiating.
Those who sacrificed to the celestial gods wore purple,
to the infernal gods they sacrificed in black, and to
Ceres in white garments.
The ancient Greeks generally went bareheaded ;
they had nevertheless a kind of hat, which they called
sciadion, which signifies parasol. Their hair was an
object of great importance, and they devoted much
time and attention to it. The custom of dedicating
the hair to one of their deities, and shaving off some
of their locks for that purpose, seems to have been
general both with the men and women of ancient
391
men in the earlier ages seem to have consisted in
spinning, weaving, and embroidering. The Grecian
ladies, in particular, were very celebrated for their
skill in all kinds of needlework. At some of the re-
ligious festivals it was the custom to offer, to the god
or goddess in whose honour it was instituted, a gar-
ment wove and embroidered for that purpose. Thus,
at the Athenian fete in honour of Minerva, a robe was
carried in the procession ; it was of a white colour,
without sleeves, and embroidered with gold : upon
it were described the achievements of the goddess.
Jupiter also, and the heroes, had their effigies in it.
Hence, men of courage and bravery are said to be
worthy to be portrayed in Minerva’s sacred garment,
as in Aristophanes :
“ We will our fathers treat with high esteem,
Whose brave exploits are worthy Attica,
Fit to be portrayed in Minerva’s vest.”
The garments worn by the Grecian priests were
very costly and magnificent; they differed according
to the gods in whose honour they were officiating.
Those who sacrificed to the celestial gods wore purple,
to the infernal gods they sacrificed in black, and to
Ceres in white garments.
The ancient Greeks generally went bareheaded ;
they had nevertheless a kind of hat, which they called
sciadion, which signifies parasol. Their hair was an
object of great importance, and they devoted much
time and attention to it. The custom of dedicating
the hair to one of their deities, and shaving off some
of their locks for that purpose, seems to have been
general both with the men and women of ancient