Two particularly interesting periods in Greek history were the Archaic (between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C.) and the Classical periods (between about 500 B.C. and 336 B.C.), which comprise most of the era termed ‘Ancient Greece’ in the time line of western history. These periods of Greek history are notable because of the achievements in art, architecture, literature, and the socio-political developments that made Greek civilization unique. Prior to and during the Archaic period, formerly isolated Greek tribes began solidifying into more organized centers of government and population, forming what would become city-states, or ‘polis’, with their own authority but with strategic alliances defined among them.
Early in their evolution the city-states were frequently ruled by hereditary monarchies, called basileus, which then ceded to the oligarchic form of government, which was most typically a leadership of the wealthiest citizens. In oligarchies, political power was given to a council and only a select number of participants were designated by the constitution. If this form of government was overthrown, it was usually replaced by a tyranny, a form of usurping government through which wealthy leaders seized power unconstitutionally, although often with popular support. By the 6th century B.C., democracy as a form of government increased in popularity, though it remained rule by the few-only the free, male citizens of a state could vote to the exclusion of women, foreigners, and slaves.
After the power of Sparta was nearly extinguished by revolting Messeneans during the Messenean War, Sparta reformed its government implementing an authoritarian, military rule over its territory. Its strict militaristic government secured the rule of native Spartans while subjugating their conquests by a system of serfdom, where the subjects, called helots, would be essentially bound to a landowner’s property and forced to work the land in order to provide for themselves and their patrons. The military tradition of the Spartan, crucial to the strength of their government, was also remarkable. Spartans were very careful in creating a strong and able citizenry, which fueled the military. It was government policy to filter the weak elements from the society-a government body would be in charge of effectively deciding whether a child should live or die according to the physical strength it demonstrated at birth. Females were also affected by these policies and, though not raised to be part of the military, were raised to be physically fit, fairly independent members of society and strong representatives of their family units while their husbands and fathers were away on military duty.
In the sixth century B.C.E. a most common style of dress for Greek men and women was a remarkably simple piece of costume called the himation. At the time, in the middle of the historic period called Ancient Greece, when Greece was flourishing in its tradition of poetry and philosophy and entering a new political era, the sophistication of clothing was wrapped entirely in the form of a basic rectangle.
The himation, similar to the equally simple peplos, was a remarkable example of essential elegance. It consisted of an extended strip of fabric, typically 4 to 5 meters long and a little over a meter in width, which would be wrapped around the body (over the left shoulder, under the right arm) and held in place only by the weight of its folds and fall. If it was held together by anything it would have been by a simple brooch or pin or the ends of the fabric would be further weighed down with lead weights at the hem. The himation would have been made of a wool weave and, as examples from pottery remnants and sculpture relay, would have been dyed in bright colors often with further decoration or detailing painted or woven on.
Women would sometimes fasten the himation with a rope, or girdle, at the waist. The extension of the fabric would allow ample cloth for variations in use - it could be pulled over the head and used as an almost entire-body covering for protection against cold or rain.
The arrangements of the pleats in gathering of the cloth would be the only accents to the garment and this simplicity of form has been revived throughout the history of fashion. It was repeated in the Roman toga, maintained in the mantles of the early medieval period, evident in the pleated feature of the medieval houppelande, resurfaced in post-revolutionary France, and in both the 20th century and in our own latest fashion seasons has again been revisted as a fashion staple.
*image - Roman copy of a Hellenistic Greek work. Woman wearing himation. 1/2nd century C.E.
*image - Demosthenes
*Evening gown, 1967–85. Madame Grès. Cream silk jersey.
|
Visit the History Store for a wide selection of historical gifts, replicas and reenactment gear. A shop for history re-enactors, collectors, history enthusiasts and those searching for the perfect home or office gift. The Aurora History Boutique offers a broad selection of history related products at substantial savings. We offer Museum Replicas, Replica Weapons and Authentic Items. Browse by Historical Era, Historical Category, or by Historical Region. |
|
|||||||||
Tags: Ancient Egypt Store, Ancient Greek Store, Ancient Rome Store, Authentic Items, fashion 6 BC, Fashion History, Greek Fashion, Greek History, himation, himation history, Historical Category, Historical Era, Historical Region, history of fashion, history of robes, History Store, Museum Replicas, Replica Weapons, Roman Fashion, Roman History, roman toga history, toga
