A cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toga, the garb of peace. The abolla was used by by the lower classes at Rome, and consequently by the philosophers who affected severity of manners and life.

Abolla

A cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toga, the garb of peace. The abolla was used…

"Bronze statuette, wearing Toga." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Bronze Statuette

"Bronze statuette, wearing Toga." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Illustration of the Roman Emperor Tiberius wearing a draped toga, which was fashionable in the first century AD and worn by citizens of Rome. He stands looking to his right. The original statue was found in Capri and is made of marble. Tiberius was emperor of Rome from AD 14-37.

Emperor Tiberius Wearing a Toga

Illustration of the Roman Emperor Tiberius wearing a draped toga, which was fashionable in the first…

A group of ancient Greek around a stone table.

Gathering of Greeks

A group of ancient Greek around a stone table.

An illustration of a man and woman standing in typical Roman clothing. Clothing in ancient Rome generally consisted of the toga, the stola, brooches for these, and breeches. The toga, a distinctive garment of Ancient Rome, was a sash of perhaps twenty feet (6 meters) in length which was wrapped around the body and was generally worn over a tunic. The stola was the traditional garment of Roman women, corresponding to the toga that was worn by men. In ancient Rome, it was considered disgraceful for a woman to wear a toga; wearing the male garment was associated with prostitution. The stola was a long, pleated dress, worn over a tunic. A brooch (also known in ancient times as a fibula) is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material.

Man and Woman in Roman Clothing

An illustration of a man and woman standing in typical Roman clothing. Clothing in ancient Rome generally…

Illustration of Paul, kneeling on one knee in the city streets, head bowed, awaiting execution. A man in a short tunic and head wrap is raising his sword above Paul's head. A man in a robe stands nearby with his hand over his mouth. Another man stands in the background, holding a scroll and a staff. Two soldiers are standing in the background.

Paul is Beheaded at Rome by the Order of Emperor Nero

Illustration of Paul, kneeling on one knee in the city streets, head bowed, awaiting execution. A man…

A view of the back of a Roman toga. The man stands with his right foot slightly behind his left, as if he's taking a step. The toga is wrapped and draped over the left shoulder. Boys would adopt this style of clothing at the age of fifteen.

Roman Toga - View from the Back

A view of the back of a Roman toga. The man stands with his right foot slightly behind his left, as…

"Toga, a gown, the name of the principal outer garment worn by the romans, seems to have been received by them from the Etruscans. The toga was the peculiar distinction of the Romans, who were thence called togats or gens togata. It was originally worn only in Rome itself, and the use of it was forbidden alike to exiles and to foreigners. Gradually, however, it went out of common use, and was supplanted by the pallium and lacerna, or else it was worn in public under the lacerna. But it was still used by the upper classes, who regarded it as an honourable distinction, in the courts of justice, by clients when they received the Sportula, and in the theatre or at the games, at least when the emperor was present." &mdash Smith; 1873

Toga

"Toga, a gown, the name of the principal outer garment worn by the romans, seems to have been received…

"The following cuts represent, the first more ancient, and the second the later mode of wearing the toga." — Anthon, 1891

Roman Togas

"The following cuts represent, the first more ancient, and the second the later mode of wearing the…

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young, one older, stand side by side, each holding fasces. Fasces are axes bound to bundles of wooden rods. These lictors function as bodyguards. The men are wearing togas.

Two Attendants, or Lictors, of a King or Consul

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young,…