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palla

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A long, rectangular cloak or shawl worn by women in ancient Rome, draped over the stola or tunic, functioning as a modest outer covering for public appearances.

Detailed Definition
The palla is the female counterpart to the Roman male toga, though it was draped differently and often over the head, especially during religious rites. In Roman poetry, the palla appears in love elegies and domestic scenes, often as a garment that a woman adjusts to hide her blushing face or to signal modesty. Its wool or linen fabric and its often unadorned nature contrast with the more ornate garments of later periods. Poets use the palla to set a scene in the Roman Republic or Empire, and its presence can signal a woman's respectability and citizenship. In elegiac poetry, the palla might be stolen by a lover as a token, or its colors might be described to match the lady's complexion. Its drape and fall are less structured than the toga, allowing for softer, more intimate imagery.
Example
Example in poetry:
"She pulled her palla over her head and became a modest Roman matron"; "The palla's wool was rough against her skin, a garment of duty"; "He watched her adjust her palla, a gesture of ancient femininity"; "The palla's folds fell like the columns of the forum"; "She wore her palla to the temple, a veil of piety"; "The palla, dyed a deep purple, was her only luxury"
Additional Notes
The palla is the female counterpart to the Roman male toga, though it was draped differently and often over the head, especially during religious rites. In Roman poetry, the palla appears in love elegies and domestic scenes, often as a garment that a woman adjusts to hide her blushing face or to signal modesty. Its wool or linen fabric and its often unadorned nature contrast with the more ornate garments of later periods. Poets use the palla to set a scene in the Roman Republic or Empire, and its presence can signal a woman's respectability and citizenship. In elegiac poetry, the palla might be stolen by a lover as a token, or its colors might be described to match the lady's complexion. Related terms include himation, stola, and shawl. Students should note the palla's role in signaling Roman female modesty and its appearance in love elegy.
Also Known As
Roman shawl draped mantle lady's veil-cloak
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