Sakkos
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The sakkos was a distinctive type of headwear commonly worn in ancient Greece and later in Rome, primarily associated with women, and particularly with figures of high status or ritual importance. The sakkos was a soft, often elaborate, cap made from fabric, typically worn by priestesses and deities in religious or ceremonial contexts. In the visual arts, it was frequently seen as part of the attire of goddesses, especially those linked with fertility, domesticity, or rituals. For example, the goddess Demeter, who presided over agriculture and the harvest, was sometimes depicted wearing a sakkos, emphasizing her connection to fertility and the earth.
In addition to its religious symbolism, the sakkos also had practical applications. For women, it was often worn during domestic activities or when engaging in certain public functions, such as attending festivals or public ceremonies. The soft cap offered protection from the elements, particularly from the sun, and was a relatively simple, but effective piece of clothing. The sakkos was a common feature in Greek funerary art as well, where it symbolized the passage between life and death, suggesting the transition of the soul.
The sakkos also became a symbol of high religious office, particularly among the priesthoods in Greek cities. Priestesses and other religious officials would wear the sakkos as part of their ceremonial garments, underscoring their sacred roles within their communities. In this context, the sakkos was not only a practical piece of clothing but also a mark of the individual’s elevated status in religious and civic life. It is worth noting that the sakkos was closely linked to the concept of sacredness, as it was often worn during rituals and festivals that involved gods or the afterlife, emphasizing the wearer’s role in mediating between the human and divine realms.
 Paphlagonia, Sinope. Ariarathes I of Cappadocia Circa 325 BCE AR Drachm 5.53 gm, 17mm Persic standard Obv.: ‘m in Aramaic, head of the nymph Sinope to left, her hair bound in a sakkos, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; to left, aphlaston. Rev.: ‘ariyrth’ in Aramaic, sea-eagle with spread wings standing on a dolphin to left. HGC 7, 434; SNG BM Black Sea 1459; SNG Stancomb 761 |
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