Ancient Rome Time Travel Guide

Clothing

Clothing

Ancient Rome’s clothing was highly influenced by the class you belonged in. It was required that your social class was to be displayed through your clothing, so the public could easily recognise wheer someone belonged in the system. As an Emperor you are at the top of this social hierarchy, you can afford many expansive materials and clothing items. An Ancient Roman Emperor wore nothing like the world or country leaders of your current era, rather traditional clothing of Togas, Tunics and Cloaks. The Roman Emperors wore a specific type of Toga known formerly as the ‘Trabea’ which is a completely purple dyed Toga. The Sumptuary laws clearly state only Roman Emperors were permitted to wear the purple toga. The colour purple in Ancient Rome was mainly associated with royalty or power, a colour also connected with high wealth as it was expansive. The Trabea used Tyrain dye to achieve its colour. It was expensive as it was made through the process of crushing thousands of seashells. This allowed Tyrian dye to be seen higher than gold. Another type of purple Toga Emperors could wear was the Toga Picta which was used for special occasions such as the opening of the gladiatorial games. This toga was embroidered with gold. Finally, as an Emperor you were allowed to wear a cloak known as the Paludamentum, which you would wear over your armour. This cloak’s importance has increased and now you usually wear it during important ceremonies. The Paludamentum was usually coloured purple, however it could be seen in colours of red, violet or dark blue. To finish the cloak, you must fasten on your right shoulder an ornamental brooch which would be made of expensive materials such as gold and jewels.

Clothing

Jobs

The role of Emperors in Ancient Rome was to provide stability, leadership and guidance for the Roman Empire. As the top ruler, your jobs range from leading your military to success in battle but also assuring infrastructure is repaired and when needed new facilities are to be built. To maximise your control over the empire you have imperium maius or now known as extreme control over the provincial governors who you appoint. In Roman times the Emperor was seen as the law, allowing you to create or have the authority to call people to enact laws. You are now the chief provider for the gladiatorial games, a popular form of entertainment in Roman times. As many Romans were, you have a strong polytheistic view on the world which results in you having jobs of igniting old religions and practices or rebuilding decaying temples. The social hierarchy of Rome was highly influential towards the roles a Roman would have, being in the top social class of Emperors results in you having many leadership jobs that are designed to strengthen the Empire.

Impact of Social class

Wealth and Daily Activities

Interactions