Roman views of \'Barbarians\'

[Robert Vermaat]

Vortigern,
Good points, good theory.
Back to your original point : so you're saying that the lower class civilians did not wear trousers or, at least, trousers were not popular with the lower classes, right ? And you base this on the Piazza Armerina mosaics ?

Nonono, you mistook me there.
I merely made a point with the Piazza Armerina mosaics to show that a) trousers were worn in high society and b) they were worn a century before Honorius.

I'm not saying trousers were unpopular with the lower classes. But now that you mention it.. The Piazza Armerina mosaics by themselves seem to show a division between masters/soldiers on the one hand, and servants/slaves on the other, if I've interpreted the roles right. Trousers for the former, wraps for the latter.

So maybe it was something for the rich and their military retainers? Maybe pants cost a bob or two, and the lower classes made do with wraps, at least in te warmer climates?