Tiara
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The tiara in ancient Greek and Roman culture was a headdress with notable symbolic and practical significance, though it was not as commonly worn as other types of headgear like crowns or helmets. It was particularly associated with Eastern influences, as it was a prominent feature of Persian and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. Over time, the tiara became adopted and adapted by both Greek and Roman elites, often as a sign of status and distinction.
For the Persians, the tiara was an elaborate headpiece, usually worn by royalty and high-ranking officials, crafted from fabric, gold, or leather and adorned with decorations. The influence of Persian culture spread into the Greek and Roman worlds, particularly after the campaigns of Alexander the Great, whose conquest of Persia brought significant cultural exchanges. In this context, the tiara symbolized power, authority, and divine favor. As a result, the Greeks and Romans began to adopt it in some contexts, especially for ceremonial or imperial purposes.
In Greek culture, the tiara was less common but occasionally seen in depictions of Persian royalty or other eastern rulers. The tiara was a symbol of exoticism, wealth, and power, particularly in works of art that portrayed foreign dignitaries or conquerors. It was sometimes worn by Greek women as part of luxurious attire in high-status or ceremonial settings. While not as emblematic in everyday life, it appeared more frequently in representations of rulers or gods associated with foreign lands.
In Roman culture, the tiara became more associated with the emperors and their court. The tiara was especially worn by figures of authority as a mark of their imperial power, though it was not as widespread as other forms of crown or diadem. Emperors who sought to project an image of superiority and imperial sovereignty occasionally donned tiaras influenced by Eastern traditions, with the aim of associating themselves with the divine and monarchic lineage of Eastern rulers, such as the Persian kings.
 Mysia, Pergamon 450-400 BCE 1.51g 11.28mm Laureate head of Apollo right Bearded head right, wearing a Persian tiara within an incuse square. ΠΕΡΓA SNG BN 1546-8 |
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