What was the pallium in Ancient Rome?
The pallium was a Roman cloak made from a rectangular length of cloth. It was similar in form to the palla worn by Roman women and to the himation of ancient Greece.
Questions about Pallium (Roman cloak)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the pallium made of?
The pallium was usually made from wool or flax. For the higher classes it could be made of silk, worked with gold threads and embroideries.
What colours could a Roman pallium be?
The pallium could be white, purple red known as purpurea from murex, black, yellow, blue, or pale green. It varied in fineness, colour, and ornament from one wearer to another.
Who wore the pallium in Rome?
The pallium was favoured by ordinary people, philosophers, and pedagogues. It was originally considered exclusively Greek and despised by Romans before gaining these wearers.
Why did Tertullian favour the pallium?
Tertullian thought the pallium the most appropriate garment for philosophers and Christians. He associated the plain Greek cloak with that way of life and faith.
Is the Roman pallium the same as the Catholic clergy pallium?
No, the Roman pallium cloak is not the same as the pallium used by Catholic clergy. The clergy pallium is related to the omophorion.