08-16-2010, 09:46 PM
A 3rd Century mosiac from Piazza Armerina in Sicily shows some young Roman women wearing what appear to be bikinis, or bras and panties, while they are exercising in a gymnasium. Similar garments have been found preserved in Britain, which would mean they were probably widespread in the Roman world.
I forget who (Juvenal, maybe?) but a 1st Century writer also specifically mentioned that there were merchants selling "lingerie" in Rome. Just what would have been "lingerie" in Rome, or in Iron Age Europe?
All this leads me to wonder what Roman women wore underneath their stolas. The "strophium" bra or "breast bandage" was apparently common in both the Roman and Greek worlds. But is there additional evidence for the panty or bikini-like clothes that the Sicilian and British bathers wore? Were such things only worn in the bathhouse, or were they used as an undergarment all the time? Were they an upper-class luxury, or did all classes use them?
Not a common topic for a Roman ARMY forum, but I'm very curious! I plan to write a story from a Roman woman's perspective at some point, so any intimate details into daily life for Roman women are very welcome.
I forget who (Juvenal, maybe?) but a 1st Century writer also specifically mentioned that there were merchants selling "lingerie" in Rome. Just what would have been "lingerie" in Rome, or in Iron Age Europe?
All this leads me to wonder what Roman women wore underneath their stolas. The "strophium" bra or "breast bandage" was apparently common in both the Roman and Greek worlds. But is there additional evidence for the panty or bikini-like clothes that the Sicilian and British bathers wore? Were such things only worn in the bathhouse, or were they used as an undergarment all the time? Were they an upper-class luxury, or did all classes use them?
Not a common topic for a Roman ARMY forum, but I'm very curious! I plan to write a story from a Roman woman's perspective at some point, so any intimate details into daily life for Roman women are very welcome.
Jaida :-) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" />:-)