Avenches – Roman Museum – Permanent Exhibition

Second Floor Clothes and Jewellery
Clothes and Jewellery
(Display case 2)
Just like today, the inhabitants of Roman Switzerland adapted their clothes and
shoes to the season, the region and to types of activities as well as their social
environment.
The basic outfit was the tunic, which was worn by men, women and children.
The length of this T-shaped garment could vary; it consisted of two rectangular
pieces of cloth, which covered the body and it had either long or short sleeves.
Clothes were mainly made of linen or wool; leather or fur coats were also worn.
Women’s tunics reached down to the ankles, while young girls and servants wore
them down to their calves. To protect themselves against the cold they wore a cloak
or a shawl and woollen stockings.
Some women held on to traditional Celtic clothing: a dress was worn over a
shirt-like undergarment and held together at the shoulders by fibulae.
Men’s tunics were shorter and stopped at the knee or just below. To protect
themselves against bad weather they had different types of cloaks made of wool
such as the cucullus, a type of short cape with a hood. They protected their legs by
wrapping them in puttees. The toga, a long draped cloth, was reserved for Roman
citizens; it was used in town during official ceremonies. Craftsmen mainly wore
a short sleeveless tunic, sown together only at the left shoulder so that the arms
could move freely; it was held together with a belt. Children’s tunics reached down
to their knees.
The shoes, made of leather, were open or closed; they could be quite high or
were combined with gaiters. Some shoe soles were studded with hobnails.
Men, women and children liked to wear jewellery, most of which was made of
bronze or gold coloured brass. However, jewellery could also be made of iron, glass,
bone or – less frequently – silver or gold and it could be decorated with precious
stones.
Fibulae were widely used. They are a type of brooch of Celtic origin, and were
used to pin clothes together at the shoulders and to fasten coats. When sewing
clothes together became more common, the fibulae took on a purely decorative
function (1). Since their shapes evolved during the course of time, fibulae can be
dated rather precisely and represent precious chronological evidence.
The inhabitants of Roman Switzerland were fond of beads and pendants.
The latter were not only adornments but may sometimes also have had a special
function as talismans (nos. 98-101). Rings were usually worn on the left hand; rings
with intaglios were used for sealing documents and others were a token of love
(nos. 114-116). Women liked to wear necklaces and bracelets, often in pairs. Unlike
Mediterranean fashion, earrings only became popular from the 3rd century AD
onwards. Hairpins were generally made of bone and held together women’s hair.
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Second Floor
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