The Origin of the Pilleus Open Access

Marier, Hannah (Spring 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/z603qz715?locale=en
Published

Abstract

Why did the Romans choose to make the wearing of the pilleus a step in the manumission ritual (manumissio)? This paper attempted to answer this question by diving into the origin of the pilleus in the Greek pilos. The pilos was worn predominantly by unbearded youths on Greek vase-painting, often symbolizing the ‘proving time’ in which these youths transitioned from boys to adult citizens. This symbolic meaning of proving time was what the Romans adopted for the pilleus, which thus also symbolized the proving time of the newly freed enslaved person. 

Table of Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................8

The Pilleus....................................................................................................9

The Pilos.......................................................................................................19

Typology.......................................................................................................23

Genre Scenes Featuring the Pilos.................................................................26

Athenian Youth on Lekythoi.........................................................................30

Mythological Paradigms...............................................................................41

Departure and Heroic Deeds: “On their way to greatness” ..............................42

Mythological Warfare...................................................................................55

Pursuit of Women.........................................................................................57

Mythological Hunters....................................................................................60

Conclusion: The Dioscuri as a Bridge between Roman and Greek................62

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement
  • Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.
School
Department
Degree
Submission
Language
  • English
Research Field
Keyword
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor
Committee Members
Last modified

Primary PDF

Supplemental Files