10-01-2003, 11:39 PM
Again from the letters of the Pliny the Younger:<br>
<br>
In book 5:6 Pliny is discussing his preference for his home in Tuscany above his other retreats. He writes that he can enjoy more peace and comfort there and has fewer cares then:<br>
"I need never wear a formal toga and there are no neighbours to disturb me."<br>
I think this is as a good as clue as any that a more informal dress code was adopted in the countryside, at least if one wasn't entertaining.<br>
Pliny goes on to say that he keeps his mind in training with work and his body with hunting. This is just one of many references Pliny makes to hunting and it is obvious he was very enthusiastic about this pastime.<br>
The references I noticed to leggings were in association with huntsmen and agricultural workers. I am a bit wary of speculating on things because of their practicality (having noticed the practise is frowned upon on in the RAT forum!) but it does seem to me that leg coverings would make sense whilst hunting to protect oneself whilst pursuing quarry through dense undergrowth.<br>
Just a thought.<br>
<br>
And Wendy, just as an aside. Whilst looking for stuff on cold weather I came across references to Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen being aware of the problems of cold injury (including frostbite) in the military, although I couldn't find the sources themselves. <p></p><i></i>
<br>
In book 5:6 Pliny is discussing his preference for his home in Tuscany above his other retreats. He writes that he can enjoy more peace and comfort there and has fewer cares then:<br>
"I need never wear a formal toga and there are no neighbours to disturb me."<br>
I think this is as a good as clue as any that a more informal dress code was adopted in the countryside, at least if one wasn't entertaining.<br>
Pliny goes on to say that he keeps his mind in training with work and his body with hunting. This is just one of many references Pliny makes to hunting and it is obvious he was very enthusiastic about this pastime.<br>
The references I noticed to leggings were in association with huntsmen and agricultural workers. I am a bit wary of speculating on things because of their practicality (having noticed the practise is frowned upon on in the RAT forum!) but it does seem to me that leg coverings would make sense whilst hunting to protect oneself whilst pursuing quarry through dense undergrowth.<br>
Just a thought.<br>
<br>
And Wendy, just as an aside. Whilst looking for stuff on cold weather I came across references to Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen being aware of the problems of cold injury (including frostbite) in the military, although I couldn't find the sources themselves. <p></p><i></i>
