Why did the Roman Empire officially ban the wearing of trousers in 397 AD?
In short: The ancient Greeks and Romans viewed trousers with intense disdain, considering them a sign of depravity. This video explores the cultural reasons behind their aversion to pants and examines the broader landscape of classical fashion in the ancient world.
In 397 AD, the city of Rome enacted a formal ban on trousers. The prohibition was not a one-time event; authorities repeated the decree twice, threatening severe consequences for anyone caught wearing pants in public. This resistance to leg coverings was a defining characteristic of classical dress, reflecting deep-seated cultural values that associated trousers with foreign customs rather than the traditional attire of the Mediterranean world.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Why didn't the Greeks or Romans wear pants?
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