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]

References

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