'Togaman' recounts historical journey of toga
Christopher Vincent, Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/10/05 Section: News
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A toga was never worn to a party, Heaton said, because a toga meant gravity, and "no one wants to be weighty at a party," he said. "So at a party the Romans went Greek -- literally."
They dressed in light Greek cloaks, which were more bed sheet-sized, and not as heavy as a toga.
Because it was uncomfortable and didn't protect much from the elements, the toga had to be enforced by Roman law. However, in addition to its purpose as "combat training Roman style," the toga, which was three body lengths long and two wide, had a built-in pouch which allowed the citizen to carry his diploma -- a certificate of military service -- and foods, like trail mix.
"Yes," Heaton said, to the laughter of the audience, "the Romans invented trail mix."
Cleaning the wool togas was the most lucrative nonviolent business in Roman society, he said. Fuller shops collected urine and allowed it to ferment, which separated the urine into ammonia, used for cleaning the fabric, and uric acid, which was used to make the dyes stick.
"I'm sorry to say, but if you're wearing anything with dye, that's urea," he said. "It's still used."
They dressed in light Greek cloaks, which were more bed sheet-sized, and not as heavy as a toga.
Because it was uncomfortable and didn't protect much from the elements, the toga had to be enforced by Roman law. However, in addition to its purpose as "combat training Roman style," the toga, which was three body lengths long and two wide, had a built-in pouch which allowed the citizen to carry his diploma -- a certificate of military service -- and foods, like trail mix.
"Yes," Heaton said, to the laughter of the audience, "the Romans invented trail mix."
Cleaning the wool togas was the most lucrative nonviolent business in Roman society, he said. Fuller shops collected urine and allowed it to ferment, which separated the urine into ammonia, used for cleaning the fabric, and uric acid, which was used to make the dyes stick.
"I'm sorry to say, but if you're wearing anything with dye, that's urea," he said. "It's still used."
