Pamphile

Prehistoric woven objects and weaving tools

Pamphile (Greek: Παμφίλη) Plateae filia or Latoi filia, was the daughter of Platea (or Latoos), a woman of the Greek island of Kos.

Distaff

It is said that silk was first spun by her. She is also the first person that invented the technique of preparing a thread from cotton wool for spinning on a distaff. She developed as well the technique of weaving from cotton thread.

Pliny the Elder describes in 70 BC Silk was obtained by removing the down from the leaves with the help of water. He also recounts the legend of Pamphile, who invented silk weaving on the Greek island of Kos. He says that Pamphile discovered the technique of weaving like a spider's web and that she ought not to be cheated of the glory of making a silk dress that covers a woman but reveals her charms. Aristotle also associates Pamphile with inventing the concept of weaving silk.

Primary sources

Pliny, The Natural History XI.26.76

Secondary sources

• Allen, Prudence; The Concept of Woman: The Early Humanist Reformation, 1250-1500, Part 2, p. 631; ISBN 0-8028-3347-0
• WAX RESIST DECORATION, AN ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN ART by Associate Professor Dr. Margaret Perivoliotis pp. 10,11

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