Taking on the mantle of authority: gifts of clothing as devices in late-antique literature
This thesis aims to investigate the use of gifts of male elite clothing in Roman society and literature during late Antiquity. Drawing upon modern scholarship surrounding clothing and gift-giving, it argues that when these items appeared in late-antique literature, it was a way for writers to explore and resolve uncertainties about authority. Chapter 1 presents an overview of clothing gifts from earlier periods of Greco-Roman history, in order to demonstrate that when late-antique authors employed gifts of garments as literary devices, they were drawing upon well established traditions which they adapted to suit their own concerns. The remaining chapters focus on various aspects of Late Antiquity. Chapter 2 investigates the gifting of consular trabeae, especially that of the emperor Gratian to Ausonius, and explores how figural decoration could work to envelop the wearer in the donor's narrative, strengthening an emperor's insecure authority. Chapter 3 examines how garment gifts functioned within diplomatic exchange, emphasising the way these items became a means to maintain an impression of a strong and authoritative empire even if this was sometimes removed from reality. Chapter 4 focuses on clothing gifts
Rollason, Nikki
Taking on the mantle of authority: gifts of clothing as devices in late-antique literature. This thesis aims to investigate the use of gifts of male elite clothing in Roman society and literature during late Antiquity. Drawing upon modern scholarship surrounding clothing and gift-giving, it argues that when these items appeared in late-antique literature, it was a way for writers to explore and resolve uncertainties about authority. Chapter 1 presents an overview of clothing gifts from earlier periods of Greco-Roman history, in order to demonstrate that when late-antique authors employed gifts of garments as literary devices, they were drawing upon well established traditions which they adapted to suit their own concerns. The remaining chapters focus on various aspects of Late Antiquity. Chapter 2 investigates the gifting of consular trabeae, especially that of the emperor Gratian to Ausonius, and explores how figural decoration could work to envelop the wearer in the donor's narrative, strengthening an emperor's insecure authority. Chapter 3 examines how garment gifts functioned within diplomatic exchange, emphasising the way these items became a means to maintain an impression of a strong and authoritative empire even if this was sometimes removed from reality. Chapter 4 focuses on clothing gifts
taking authority gift clothe device late_antique literature aim_investigate use gift male elite clothing roman_society literature late_antiquity drawing_upon modern_scholarship surround clothe gift giving argue item appear late_antique literature way writer explore resolve uncertainty authority present_overview clothe gift earlier_period greco_roman history order late_antique author employ garment literary_device draw_upon well_establish tradition adapt suit concern remain focus various_aspect late_antiquity investigates gift consular especially emperor explore figural decoration could work donor narrative strengthen emperor insecure authority examines garment gift function_within diplomatic exchange emphasise way item become mean maintain impression strong authoritative empire even sometimes remove reality focus clothe gift