Petasos

{{Short description|Sun hat worn in Ancient Greece}} [[File:Man wearing Petasos Coinage of Kapsa Macedon circa 400 BCE.jpg|thumb|Hermes wearing a petasos. Coinage of Kapsa, Macedon, c. 400 BC]]

A '''petasos''' ({{langx|grc|πέτασος}}) or '''petasus''' (Latin) is a broad brimmed hat of Thessalian origin worn by ancient Greeks, Thracians and Etruscans,<ref>{{Cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CILWtN-fSG8C&pg=PA68 |title=Etruscan Dress |isbn=9780801874130 |last=Bonfante |first=Larissa |author-link=Larissa Bonfante |date=2003-10-31 |publisher=JHU Press}}</ref> often in combination with the chlamys cape. It was made of wool felt, leather, straw or animal skin. Women's versions had a high crown while those for men featured a lower crown.<ref>Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "petasos". ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', 26 Jul. 2010, https://www.britannica.com/topic/petasos . Accessed 29 November 2021.</ref> It was worn primarily by farmers, travellers and hunters, and was considered characteristic of rural people. As a winged hat, it became the symbol of Hermes, the Greek mythological messenger god.<ref>Sacks, David. "clothing, ancient Greek." ''Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World'', David Sacks, Facts On File, 3rd edition, 2015. ''Credo Reference.'' Accessed 29 Nov. 2021.</ref>

Along with the pileus, the petasos was the most common hat worn in Ancient Greece.<ref>"Greek Headwear." ''Fashion, Costume, and Culture'': ''Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear Through the Ages'', edited by Sara Pendergast, et al., 2nd ed., vol. 1: The Ancient World, UXL, 2013, pp. 127-134. ''Gale In Context: World History.'' Accessed 28 Nov. 2021.</ref> Its wide brim protected the wearer from the sun and rain while a lengthy strap allowed wearers to secure it under the chin. Its popularity later extended to the Etruscans, the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire, in slightly modified forms.<ref>"Headwear of the Byzantine Empire." ''Fashion, Costume, and Culture'': ''Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear Through the Ages'', edited by Sara Pendergast, et al., 2nd ed., vol. 2: Early Cultures Across the Globe, UXL, 2013, pp. 257-259. ''Gale In Context: World History.'' Accessed 28 Nov. 2021.</ref>

A type of metal helmet worn by Athenian cavalry was made in the shape of a petasos. Some examples have holes around the outer edge of the brim, presumably so a fabric cover could be attached. These are known from reliefs and vase paintings, with at least one archaeological example found in an Athenian tomb.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sekunda |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Sekunda |title=The Ancient Greeks |date=2005 |orig-date=1986 |publisher=Osprey |location= |page=19}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery widths=240 heights=240> File:Achilles embassy Louvre G264 n3.jpg|Hermes wearing a petasos and bearing a caduceus Image:Petasos MKL Bd. 12 1890 (128867731).jpg|Views of a petasos File:Youth leopard skin Staatliche Antikensammlungen 2639.jpg|Petasos-wearing youth with spear and leopardskin File:Tomb scene Petit Palais ADUT00355 n2.jpg|Young warrior with a cloak and petasos dangling over the back File:KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Obol (8mm, 0.46 g). Struck circa 460-450 BC. Young male head right, wearing petasos.jpg|Coin of Alexander I, struck circa 460-450 BC. Young male head right, wearing a petasos. File:MACEDON, Kapsa. Late 5th-4th centuries BC. AR Diobol (10mm, 1.20 g, 5h). Head of Hermes right, wearing winged petasos One-handled lekythos.jpg|Coinage of Kapsa, Macedon, circa 400 BC. </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category inline|Petasos}}

Category:Culture of ancient Thessaly Category:Greek clothing Category:Hats Category:Hermes Category:Mythological clothing Category:Objects in Greek mythology