The surprising evolution of the mitre from ancient armor to bishop's crown
In short: Before it was a symbol of religious authority, the mitre was a piece of metal armor. From the battlefields of the Iliad to the coronation of Popes, this iconic headgear has undergone a radical transformation, shifting from protective waist guards to the tall, peaked caps of the Christian hierarchy.
The word 'mitre' finds its roots in the Greek 'mitra', which originally described a piece of metal armor worn around the waist under a cuirass, as noted in Homer's Iliad. Over centuries, the term's meaning drifted through various forms of headgear, including women's hairbands, Babylonian headdresses, and even the 'victor's chaplet' at athletic games. In the Byzantine era, the 'camelaucum'—a cap used by imperial officials—served as a precursor to both the modern mitre and the papal tiara.
In Western Christianity, the modern mitre is a tall, folding cap with two peaks and two hanging lappets. Its usage became widespread among Western bishops by 1150, with the first written mention appearing in a 1049 Bull from Pope Leo IX. The Roman Catholic tradition utilizes different varieties for specific liturgical needs: the 'simplex' (simple white linen) for funerals and Lent, the 'auriphrygiata' (gold or silk with embroidered bands) for presiding over sacraments, and the 'pretiosa' (precious), which may feature gold and jewels for the most solemn feasts.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition offers a different lineage. While some scholars suggest the mitre was adopted following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, others point to the early 1600s under Cyril Lucaris. Unlike the Western version, the Eastern mitre resembles a bulbous, enclosed imperial crown, often decorated with icons of Christ or the Theotokos. Interestingly, the use of headgear was not always standard; historical records from the 15th and 16th centuries suggest that most Orthodox hierarchs, with the possible exception of the Patriarch of Alexandria, performed services with uncovered heads.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Mitre
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