Chitons

[Andy]

I have made a chiton for a future Hoplite impression I one day hope to fulfill, unfortunately it looks like a sack on me. I have a few quick questions.
How wide should the material be when folded? I am only a stick figure of a man and at the moment is immensily baggy and gathers below the belt all wrong and uneven.
Should the chiton be sewn up the side, or is it held closed by just the belt? I am wearing this open (unsewn), perhaps this is my problem.
Looking at alot of pictures the chiton was fairly short, reaching just below the genitals, but would the baggyness be a reflection of social/military status? ie Baggier common to someone of a higher social standing?
Any help here most appreciated.

[Matthew Amt]

Sounds about right! If it feels like a tent without poles, you're probably in the ballpark. Mine is only about 41" wide, not sure if it should be a tad larger than that:

http://www.larp.com/hoplite/photos.html

I sewed up the side of mine, though I'm not sure what the current wisdom is on that.

I don't think there was any real difference between "military" and "civilian" for the chiton. Don't know if there were any obvious social class distinctions or not (most likely just in fabric and/or color).

Would the Greek section be a better place for this? Probably the folks who know the most will still see it, but you might want to move the thread over there just to be sure.

Khaire,

Matthew

[Andy]

Thankyou Mathew,

May need to sew mine up the side too. Do you sew the shoulder pieces together, pin, or button. I am thinking pins would be very uncomfortable if ever wearing armour underneath. Pottery images I have seen just do not seem to show this. By the look of most pictures Ive looked at the front shoulder pieces attach somehow underneath the back. With no buttons or pins visible I am guessing they were sewn, but I would like to be 100% certain (if ever possible!) before doing this.

Cheer............Andy

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

I think these links might shed some light...
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... sc&start=0
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... &start=260
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... ght=chiton
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... ght=chiton
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... ght=chiton
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... ght=chiton
They may look a bit too many,but there you'll find pretty much every answer concerning the greek chiton. One of the threads is about the pins.
This is my chiton
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o118 ... C02738.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o118 ... C02741.jpg
Hope it helps
Khaire
Giannis

[Andy]

excellent, thank you