01-03-2009, 07:03 PM
Email response from Simon MacDowall:
Hi,
The loose trousers were a very common part of 6th C dress, especially in the East. There are many depictions of the style in Persian and Byzantine art. The style no doubt originated from Persia or the Eurasian steppes as depictions of western Germanic and Roman trousers (4th-5thC) were quite tight, sometimes looking like hose. Actual examples found in bogs in northern Germany confirm this.
Graham Sumner is right in the examples he gave you about the loose decorated trousers and there are a number of drawings which he did of the originals in Osprey's Roman Military Clothing (3) 400-640. On p52 in Germanic Warrior, there is a photograph from the British Museum (I have a copy of it) showing the style quite clearly. I am not aware of where else actual photographs of the originals are published but Roy Boss' book Justinian's Wars by Montvert Publications (now sadly out of print but available on ebay etc at outrageous prices) has the most complete collection of line drawings of originals showing many variations on the style. In the west the best actual examples are in Ravenna, as well as on the various North African mosaics and frescos scattered amongst the world's museums.
The style was definitely not Frankish influence as any depictions of Franks I have seen show traditional German tight trousers with cross gartering and/or lower leg bindings (see Plate L in Germanic Warrior). The Visigoths too are unlikely to have adpoted the looser style, having been settled in the West since the 4th C. The Ostrogoths and East Romans certainly did and, judging by the North African mosaics it spread there too, no doubt under East Roman influence.
Incidentally Plate K in Germanic Warrior showing and Ostrogoth in the loose style incorrectly shows stirrups. This was the artist's fault not mine!
Hope this helps.
Simon
Hi,
The loose trousers were a very common part of 6th C dress, especially in the East. There are many depictions of the style in Persian and Byzantine art. The style no doubt originated from Persia or the Eurasian steppes as depictions of western Germanic and Roman trousers (4th-5thC) were quite tight, sometimes looking like hose. Actual examples found in bogs in northern Germany confirm this.
Graham Sumner is right in the examples he gave you about the loose decorated trousers and there are a number of drawings which he did of the originals in Osprey's Roman Military Clothing (3) 400-640. On p52 in Germanic Warrior, there is a photograph from the British Museum (I have a copy of it) showing the style quite clearly. I am not aware of where else actual photographs of the originals are published but Roy Boss' book Justinian's Wars by Montvert Publications (now sadly out of print but available on ebay etc at outrageous prices) has the most complete collection of line drawings of originals showing many variations on the style. In the west the best actual examples are in Ravenna, as well as on the various North African mosaics and frescos scattered amongst the world's museums.
The style was definitely not Frankish influence as any depictions of Franks I have seen show traditional German tight trousers with cross gartering and/or lower leg bindings (see Plate L in Germanic Warrior). The Visigoths too are unlikely to have adpoted the looser style, having been settled in the West since the 4th C. The Ostrogoths and East Romans certainly did and, judging by the North African mosaics it spread there too, no doubt under East Roman influence.
Incidentally Plate K in Germanic Warrior showing and Ostrogoth in the loose style incorrectly shows stirrups. This was the artist's fault not mine!
Hope this helps.
Simon
Franklin Slaton
Semper Ubi Sub Ubi
Your mother wears caligae!
Semper Ubi Sub Ubi
Your mother wears caligae!
