Perizoma (Greek περίζωμα, plural; perizomata) is a type of loincloth that was worn in Ancient Greece. The perizoma was typically worn by manual laborers or athletes.[1] This garment could be worn independently or with a short chiton or even underneath a longer chiton.[1] Homer references the perizoma in his epic, The Illiad underscoring its role in ancient Greek dress.[2]
The perizoma is thought to have originated with the Minoan civilization in Crete. Surviving depictions show it being worn by male and female acrobats (for example, in the Bull-Leaping Fresco).[3][4]
A perizoma was possibly worn by Jesus during his crucifixion. It is a standard feature of the crucifixion in the arts. However, the Roman custom was to crucify victims naked, and there is no evidence to suggest that Jesus was an exception.[5] Perizoma was likely added by later artists to preserve modesty (see fig leaf) and first appeared in the 8th century.[6] Aachen Cathedral claims to have the actual relic of the perizoma, preserved inside the Marienschrein reliquary.[7]
Etymology
editThe word perizoma is derived from peri "around, about" and zoma "loin-cloth, drawers, band, belt"
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Athletes in perizomata (boxers, wrestlers, runner, jumper, diskobolos, acontist) and draped bearded trainers with switch -
Bearded Greek athletes in perizomata (boxers, wrestlers, runner, jumper, diskobolos, acontist) and draped bearded trainers -
Bearded Greek athletes wearing perizomata running -
Christ Crucified by Diego Velázquez shows Jesus wearing a perizoma
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Tortora, Phyllis G.; Eubank, Keith (1994). A Survey of Historic Costume: A History of Western Dress. Fairchild Publications. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-56367-003-9.
- ^ Poliakoff, Michael B. (1987-01-01). Combat Sports in the Ancient World: Competition, Violence, and Culture. Yale University Press. pp. 165–166. ISBN 978-0-300-06312-7.
- ^ Bonfante, Larissa (2003). Etruscan Dress. JHU Press. pp. 19–20. ISBN 9780801874130.
- ^ Condra, Jill (2008). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing Through World History: Prehistory to 1500CE. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-313-33662-1. OCLC 156808055.
- ^ Tombs, David (2009). "Prisoner Abuse: From Abu Ghraib to the Passion of the Christ". In Hogan, Linda; Lehrke, Dylan (eds.). Religion and the Politics of Peace and Conflict. Princeton Theological Monograph Series. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 182–83. ISBN 9781556350672.
- ^ Viladesau, Richard (2006). The Beauty of the Cross: The Passion of Christ in Theology and the Arts from the Catacombs to the Eve of the Renaissance. Oxford University Press. p. 188. ISBN 9780195188110.
- ^ Nickell, Joe (2007). Relics of the Christ. University Press of Kentucky. p. 106. ISBN 9780813172125.