Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bracae

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BRAC'AE or BRAC'CAE (ἀναξυρίδες). An article of dress which entirely covered the lower part of the person from the waist (see cut 2.) to the ankles, and was either made to fit the figure nearly tight, like our pantaloons, or to sit more loosely round the legs, like trowsers. The word contains the elements of the Scotch breeks, and English breeches; but answers more closely to the pantaloons and trowsers of the present day. The Romans included both kinds under the general term of bracae; but the Greeks distinguished each particular form by a characteristic name; as follows: —

1. ἀναξυρίδες. A pair of tight trowsers or pantaloons, more especially proper to the Eastern nations, and amongst these the Amazons and Persians (Ovid. Trist. v. 10. 34. Herod. i. 71.), as shown by the engraving annexed (Bracae/1.1), which represents a Persian prince at the battle of Issus, from the great mosaic at Pompeii.

2. Bracae laxae (θύλακοι). A pair of loose trowsers, worn in the same manner as the preceding, but more generally characteristic of the northern nations (Ovid. Trist. v. 7. 49. Lucan. i. 430.), as seen in the annexed figure (Bracae/2.1), representing one of the German auxiliaries in the army of Trajan; and of the Phrygians, amongst the Asiatics (Eur. Cycl. 182); consequently the usual costume of Paris.

3. Bracae virgatae (Propert. iv. 10. 43.), or pictae. (Val. Flacc. vi. 227.) Striped, checked, and embroidered trowsers, which were much worn by the inhabitants of Asia. See the next illustration.{TR: See entry "BRACATUS".}

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  Bracae/1.1
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  Bracae/2.1