Peplos
The peplos ( ancient Greek Πέπλος ) was a woman's clothing in ancient Greece .
The peplos has also been worn in various other countries since the Iron Age . In contrast to the light chiton, it consists of a long, heavy material . The square cloth is first folded horizontally so that part of the top is turned over as an attack (apoptygma); then it is placed around the body with the apoptygma outward. This creates the variants of the open side ( Ionic or laconic ) and the side sewn ( Doric ) peplos. Usually a belt gives the peplos additional support; it can be above or below the apoptygma. Sometimes the robe is pulled out over the belt and forms a puff ( colpos ). It is attached to the shoulders with a fibula . We often find the peplos in black and red-figure vase painting , in statuary sculpture since the Archaic period (for example in the Kore type ), but also in architectural sculpture (for example on metopes ).
Athena in a simple peplos,
approx. 460 BC Chr.
Athena in a luxurious peplos,
5th century BC Chr.
Nike in a peplos over a chiton, second quarter of the 5th century. v. Chr.
Woman wearing the apoptygma of her peplos over her head,
2nd cent. Chr.
literature
- Wolfgang Helbig : The Homeric Epic. Leipzig 1887, p. 198.
- Franz Studniczka : Contributions to the history of the ancient Greek costume. Berlin 1895.
