Thepallium was a Romancloak. It was similar in form to thepalla, which had been worn by respectable Roman women since the mid-Republican era.[1] It was a rectangular length of cloth,[2] as was thehimation in ancient Greece. It was usually made fromwool[3] orflax, but for the higher classes it could be made ofsilk with the use ofgold threads[4] and embroideries.
The garment varied in fineness, colour and ornament. It could be white,purple red (purpurea frommurex), black,[5] yellow, blue, pale green, etc.
Thepallium was originally considered to be exclusively Greek and despised by Romans, but was favoured by ordinary people, philosophers, andpedagogues.Tertullian thought it the most appropriate garment forphilosophers andChristians.[6]
It is not to be confused with thepallium used by Catholic clergy, which is related to theomophorion.
Media related toPallium (clothing) at Wikimedia Commons
