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Chiton (costume)
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A chiton (Greek: ??t??, khiton) was a form of clothing worn by men and women in Ancient Greece, from the Archaic period (c. 750–c. 500 bc) to the Hellenistic period (323–30 bc). There are two forms of chiton, the Doric chiton and the later Ionic chiton.
Doric chiton is a single rectangle of woolen fabric with an overfold called an apotygma.
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A chiton (Greek: ??t??, khiton) was a form of clothing worn by men and women in Ancient Greece, from the Archaic period (c. 750–c. 500 bc) to the Hellenistic period (323–30 bc). There are two forms of chiton, the Doric chiton and the later Ionic chiton.
History and usage
The Doric chiton is a single rectangle of woolen fabric with an overfold called an apotygma. It is draped and fastened at the shoulder by pins (fibulae). The Ionic chiton was made from linen and is draped without the fold and held in place at the shoulder by several small pins. A large belt, called the zoster could be worn over the chiton, usually under the breast ("high-girdled") or around the waist ("low-girdled"). The chiton's length was greater than the height of the wearer, so excessive fabric was pulled above the belt, like a blouse.
A double-girdled style also existed. The chiton was often worn in combination with the heavier himation, which had the role of a cloak. When used alone (without a himation), the chiton was called a monochiton. A long chiton which reached the heels was called a chiton poderes, while a longer one which dragged the ground was called a chiton syrtos. A woman's chiton would always be worn at ankle length. Men wore the long chiton during the Archaic period, but later wore it at knee length, except for certain occupations such as priests and charioteers, and also the elderly. A sleeved form was worn by priests and actors. The colour or pattern would often indicate status, but varied over time. The chiton was the outfit of Aphrodite because it was considered very feminine, although men also wore it. Dionysus is often depicted wearing it. The chiton was also worn by the Romans after the third century BC. However, they referred to it as a tunica. An example of the chiton can be seen, worn by the caryatids in the porch of the Athens Erechtheum. A charioteer's chiton can be see on the the Charioteer of Delphi (474 BC).
Greek light infantry sometimes wore a short and light version of chiton which modern authorities refer to as chitoniskos. The light chiton could also be worn over another chiton.
Etymology
Chiton means "cloak" or "covering" and was likely derived from the Akkadian word for flax or linen, kitu. Tunica is also believed to be derived from the Semitic language.
See also
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