Birrus

A birrus or birrus brittanicus was a rainproof, hooded woollen cloak (or simply a hood alone), characteristically worn in Britain and Gaul at the time of the Roman Empire and into the Middle Ages.[1][2]

A mosaic at Chedworth Roman Villa shows a Briton wearing a birrus brittanicus;[3] there is also one shown on a statue of a ploughman at the British Museum.[4]

See also

References
  1. William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. quoted at (retrieved April 29, 2008)
  2. T.W. Potter, Roman Britain, 2nd edition (London, The British Museum Press, 1997) quoted at the British Museum website (retrieved April 29, 2008)
  3. BBC/OU Open2.net - History - Locations - Chedworth
  4. British Museum website (retrieved April 29, 2008)


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