Hanging up your clothes? - Historum

**Patito de Hule** · April 16th, 2011, 09:44 AM

A strange question just struck me. At night, what did the ancient Romans do with their clothes?

Although I did a paper on Roman homes and furniture when I was in school, I don't remember anything about such matters. Surely they had hooks and/or hangers, but did they hang up their clothes or drape them all over the furniture or just throw them on the floor.

Also in late Latin of medieval times I've run into various vocabulary and references to hanging them up at night. But I draw a complete blank on Ancient Romans.

**Salah** · April 16th, 2011, 10:02 AM

I was under the impression that most or all of their clothing was folded. But I will research this - its a good question!

**kbear** · April 16th, 2011, 11:05 AM

the clothes were folded and put in chests, i believe...

**Patito de Hule** · April 16th, 2011, 11:33 AM

Sounds reasonable.

**pixi666** · April 17th, 2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbear

the clothes were folded and put in chests, i believe...

This is correct.

**Jake10** · April 18th, 2011, 12:57 AM

Were those chests sealed? Would that not have caused odor and bacteria to build up?

**Patito de Hule** · April 18th, 2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake10

Were those chests sealed? Would that not have caused odor and bacteria to build up?

The Romans had wooden boxes bound with iron and with bronze hinges for storing clothes that were not in constant use. They also had chests) that were plain wood with leather hinges.

They also had large wooden cabinets, armarium, pl. armaria, in the larter villas and in public buildings. The name suggests they were used for arms, arma, but they were also used for books and other heavier items.

Bear in mind that the clothing we're talking about here are togas, which were worn outdoors and formally, and tunics which wore worn indoors and by children.

**Jake10** · April 18th, 2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patito de Hule

The Romans had wooden boxes bound with iron and with bronze hinges for storing clothes that were not in constant use. They also had chests) that were plain wood with leather hinges.

They also had large wooden cabinets, armarium, pl. armaria, in the larter villas and in public buildings. The name suggests they were used for arms, arma, but they were also used for books and other heavier items.

Bear in mind that the clothing we're talking about here are togas, which were worn outdoors and formally, and tunics which wore worn indoors and by children.

So, would they change their togas when they went home? What would they wear then? What did the children wear outdoors? Was there maybe a period for the togas to air out before going into the chest?