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

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 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)