Birrus

Last updated: 2025-07-24 13:11:57

Birrus

A birrus or birrus brittanicus was a rainproof, hooded woollen cloak (or simply a hood alone), characteristically worn in Britain and Gaul at the time of the Roman Empire and into the Middle Ages.^[1]^[2]

A mosaic at Chedworth Roman Villa shows a Briton wearing a birrus brittanicus;^[3] there is also one shown on a statue of a ploughman at the British Museum.^[4]

See also

Burnous

References

↑ William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. quoted at (retrieved April 29, 2008)
↑ T.W. Potter, Roman Britain, 2nd edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1997) quoted at the British Museum website (retrieved April 29, 2008)
↑ BBC/OU Open2.net - History - Locations - Chedworth
↑ British Museum website (retrieved 26 August 2024)

External links

"Unique figurine wears ancient British hoodie"—The History Blog"
"The Garment That Sweeps Through History: The Everlasting Cloak" Episode #47—Haptic and Hue—Tales of Textiles
"Birrus Britannicus: More on Cloaks"—Phil osophy (26 April 2014)

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