Programme & Abstracts :: Registration Details :: Accommodation
THE CLOTHED BODY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
17-19 January 2002Judith Sebesta
South Dakota, USAVerecundo praetexta decori 1 - The toga praetexta of Roman Children and Praetextate Garments
Freeborn Roman children of both sexes wore the toga praetexta. Discussion, however, of what the toga praetexta symbolized has been focused on the toga praetexta worn by magistrates where it has been seen as having a strengthening and protective power or as a priestly "holy" garment2.
However, there were a number of praetextate garments (garments that had a purple border) in addition to the toga praetexta. There are also instances of the use of the toga praetexta in addition to its being the garb of magistrates and free-born children. Therefore, it is useful to look at the child's toga praetexta in the light of its being a praetextate garment. This paper will examine the etymology of the word in relation to the weaving of a praetexta; all instances of praetextate garments and their use; and last, the connotations surrounding the textual references of a child in a toga praetexta.
As the term "praetexta" indicates that the purple band was woven first, the paper will look what this designation means in relation to weaving on the upright loom used by the Romans. Consideration of all praetextate garments and their use indicates that the praetexta per se signified a special, "religious" status for the wearer. Further, using Mary Douglas' and others' work on the nexus of purity, pollution, and societal structure,3 this paper will also examine why the textual references to a praetextate child focus on inappropriate actions (including speech) that were primarily sexual in nature (obscaena).
2 See, for example, H. S. Versnel, Transition and Reversal in Myth and Ritual (Inconsistencies in Greek and Roman Religion II) (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1994).
3 Mary Douglas, Purity and Danger: An analysis of the concepts of pollution and taboo (London and New York: Routledge, 1966, 1996).