Monday, December 16, 2013

Petasos; an Ancient Predecessor of the Beret

A petasos or petasus is a sun hat of Thessalian origin worn by the ancient Greeks, often in combination with the chlamys cape. 
It was usually made of wool felt, leather orstraw, with a broad, floppy brim. It was worn primarily by farmers and travellers, and was considered characteristic of rural people. 
Hermes wearing a wide-brimmed petasos, ca 150 BC
As a winged hat, it became the symbol of Hermes, the Greek mythological messenger god (Roman equivalent of Mercury).

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