What is Greek himation?

Himation, mantle or wrap worn by Greek men and women from the Archaic through the Hellenistic periods (c. 750–30 bce). A very large rectangle of fabric, the himation was draped in different ways—e.g., as a shawl, a cloak, or a head covering—during various periods.

What is the purpose of a himation?

As an unshaped rectangle of wool, the himation could be arranged in a variety of ways and served as an important means of nonverbal communication. A properly arranged himation conveyed elite status, while garments in disarray created opportunities for bodily display in homosexual and heterosexual courtship.

What is the difference between the himation and the toga?

The himation was markedly less voluminous than the Roman toga. It was usually a large rectangular piece of woollen cloth. 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.

Do people still wear Chitons?

Unfortunately, there are no surviving chitons from ancient Greece, but artwork produced at the time allows us to have an understanding of the garments and its function. The chiton was a draped garment, as many Greek garments were.

How to create an easy Greek costume ~ chiton and himation?

Last week in our Ancient Greece and Olympic Unit Study we made ancient Greek costumes. Both girls wanted to make a Chiton and a Himation to wear with their necklaces. We found an easy Greek costume craft that the girls loved. It was relatively inexpensive and, for this non-crafty mom, pretty simple.

When was the himation used without a chiton?

When the himation was used alone (without a chiton), and served both as a chiton and as a cloak, it was called an achiton. The himation was markedly less voluminous than the Roman toga.

What did Greek men wear over their chiton?

The name for this particular short cloak mostly worn as a short military cloak by young men or horsemen was a Greek chlamys. In colder weather the larger cloak was worn, this was called a Greek Himation. The female cloak is called a Greek peplos and was worn over their chiton.

Where does the himation go on a Greek man?

Himation is not kept in place using pins, unlike other types of Ancient Greek overgarments. When worn by men, the himation is draped over the left shoulder and wrapped around the rest of their body, except for their right arms.