Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Caracalla

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

CARACAL'LA. An article of dress worn by the Gauls, which occupied the same relative position in their attire as the χιτών of the Greeks and tunica of the Romans. It differed, however, from them in form and size; for it was a tight vest, with long sleeves, the skirts of which reached about half way down the thighs, and were slit up before and behind as far as the fork, like a modern frock-coat. (Strabo, iv. 4. 3. Edict. Dioclet. 21. Compare Mart. Ep. i. 93. 8., where it is termed palla Gallica.) This explanation depends mainly upon the passage of Strabo cited above, who says, in describing the costume of the Gauls, that they left the hair to flow in its natural profusion, and wore a sagum and long trowsers; but that, instead of tunics, they wore a vest with long sleeves, which was slit up before and behind as far as the fork — ἀντὶ δὲ χιτώνων σχιστοὺς χειριδωτοὺς φέρουσι μέχρι αἰδοίων καὶ γλουτῶν — a description agreeing exactly with the costume of the figures introduced above (Caracalla/1.1), which are taken from two small bronzes found at Lyons, and exhibit all the characteristics here mentioned, as well as some others peculiar to the ancient inhabitants of Gaul; viz. the profusion of hair arranged in the Gallic fashion (see the illustration s. CIRRUS 1., where an example is introduced upon a larger scale), and not unlike the style usually represented on the heads of Jupiter and Aesculapius, a circumstance which led the Count Caylus and Montfaucon into the error of mistaking these figures for personations of those deities, — the shoes of the particular character worn by the Gauls (see GALLICAE, where there is another example upon a larger scale), — the sagum on the shoulders of the right-hand figure, — the torquis round the neck of the other, — and the slit in front of the dress, which is very plainly indicated in both. In a Pompeian caricature (inserted s. PICTOR) a corresponding slit is shown at the back of a similar vest. The trowsers alone are wanting to both figures; which may arise from the caprice of the artist, or from the markings by which they were indicated in the originals having been lost or overlooked from the effects of age. The passage of Strabo has always been interpreted as if it meant a χιτών of the kind called σχιστός (see the article TUNICA), but which only reached as far as the bottom of the belly in front, and the hip behind; but it is clear that the word σχιστός has reference to the other two μέχρι αἰδοίων καὶ γλουτῶν; for if it was so very short, no slit would have been required.

2. A dress of similar description introduced at Rome by the emperor Aurelius Antoninus Bassianus, whence he received the nickname of Caracalla (Anton. Caracall. 9. Aurel. Vict. Vit. Caes. 21. Id. Epit. 21.), which only differed from its Gallic original in being much longer, reaching down to the ankles, and sometimes also furnished with a hood. From this time it came into general use amongst the common people, and was subsequently adopted by the Roman priesthood, amongst whom it is still retained under the name of sottana, a vest which precisely resembles the Gaulish jerkin of the preceding cuts, with the skirts lengthened to the feet.

3. Caracalla Major. The long caracalla of the Romans, last described. Edict. Dioclet. 21.

4. Caracalla Minor. The short caracalla of the Gauls, first described. Edict. Dioclet. l. c.

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  Caracalla/1.1