The World of Roman Costume (Wisconsin Studies in Classics) [Paperback]

Judith Lynn Sebesta (Editor), Larissa Bonfante (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Should remain for many years the standard English-language reference work on the topic."—Chester F. Natunewicz, Classical World

"A valuable resource for historians of culture, the arts, and religion. The editors draw on the expertise of archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians in this interdisciplinary study of everything from hairstyles, jewelry, and accessories to literature and geography."—Biblical Archaeological Review

"Will enlighten a wide readership of scholars, teachers, and costumers."—E.J.W. Barber, Archaeological News

About the Author

Judith Lynn Sebesta is professor of Classics at the University of South Dakota and the author of Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Cantiones Profanae.  Larissa Bonfante is professor of Classics at Columbia University and the author of Etruscan Dress.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (August 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299138542
• ISBN-13: 978-0299138547
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Costume Study A Window into Ancient Rome, March 28, 2000

By 

Kelly Olson (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World of Roman Costume (Wisconsin Studies in Classics) (Hardcover)

The World of Roman Costume outlines the components of Romandress and explains how knowledge of clothing can enhance ourunderstanding of Roman culture and civilization. The volume consists of thirteen chapters written by different authors (all in English); each covers a different ritual or social aspect of Roman dress using visual, archaeological, and literary evidence. In the Introduction, the authors give a short survey of the scholarly investigations into ancient dress. Chapters follow on different aspects and descriptions of Roman clothing: the changes in cut and draping of the toga throughout Roman antiquity, symbolism in the costume of the Roman woman, the clothing of the Roman bride, the colors and textiles of Roman costume, jewellry as a symbol of status in the Roman empire, even footwear. The book also contains evidence for costume using purely literary sources, such as the speeches of Cicero and Virgil's Aeneid. There are also chapters here which explore the geographical dimensions of Roman costume: the integration of Roman styles of clothing in Syro- Mesopotamia and Roman Palestine, for example, and the depiction of barbarians on Roman curiasses. The last chapter ("Reconstructing Roman Clothing") is the most interesting, as it contains patterns and instructions for making most of the clothing discussed in the book. The World of Roman Costume is a very valuable treatment of a subject too little examined, a thoroughly enjoyable book, and an intriguing study for general readers as well as scholars of antiquity.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic source for reenactors, May 16, 2007

By 

Jennifer Mackay (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World of Roman Costume (Wisconsin Studies in Classics) (Paperback)

I love this book. I recomment you buy it. Read it. Use it. You'll love it. You're asking yourself: WHY?

Answer: The section on reconstructing Roman clothing is extremely helpful. The photos of historical evidence in statues, museum finds, ect., are excellent.

The writing style is a little more scholarly than the other book by AT Croom, however, don't let that dissuade you.

Highly recommended by Legio XX--a Roman reenactment group. I bought it for use in the SCA.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly thorough, May 17, 2007

By 

Hedera Femme (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The World of Roman Costume (Wisconsin Studies in Classics) (Paperback)

This is the most thorough book on ancient Roman costume. It shows off pictures of statues, mosaics, paintings, jewelry, and more, and examines all aspects of costume. The text is incredibly detailed, discussing class, gender, social influences, hierarchies, and the power of culture on dress. There is also discussion on the difference between Greek and Roman costume during the time.