The calceus (pl. ''calcei'': cf Latin ''calx'' "ankle") was a mid-weight, outdoor walking "shoe-boot", worn in ancient Rome. It was flat-soled, usually hobnailed and entirely covered the foot and ankle, up to the lower shin. It was secured with crossed thongs or laces. Lighter than the openwork

caligae Caligae ( Latin; singular ) are heavy-soled hobnailed military sandal-boots that were worn as standard issue by Roman legionary foot-soldiers and auxiliaries, including cavalry. History Caligae (singular ') are heavy-duty, thick-soled o ...

favoured by the Roman military, ''calcei'' were considered a distinctive part of Rome's public, civilian "national dress", which centered on the

toga The toga (, ), a distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a roughly semicircular cloth, between in length, draped over the shoulders and around the body. It was usually woven from white wool, and was worn over a tunic. In Roman historical tra ...

as an exclusive mark of Roman male

citizenship Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection". Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...

. The ''calcei'' of most ordinary citizens were probably a natural brown tanned leather. The

equestrian class The ''equites'' (; literally "horse-" or "cavalrymen", though sometimes referred to as "knights" in English) constituted the second of the property-based classes of ancient Rome, ranking below the senatorial class. A member of the equestrian o ...

had its own distinctive form of ''calceus'', with crescent-shaped buckles. Male citizens of senatorial rank and office, including certain

priesthoods Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

, were expected to wear a red-bordered

toga praetexta The toga (, ), a distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a roughly semicircular cloth, between in length, draped over the shoulders and around the body. It was usually woven from white wool, and was worn over a tunic. In Roman historiography, ...

and red ''calcei'' (s. ''mulleus calceus'') when engaged in their public duties. The combination of toga and ''calcei'' was impressive, but also hot and uncomfortable; the Roman poet

Martial Marcus Valerius Martialis (known in English as Martial ; March, between 38 and 41 AD – between 102 and 104 AD) was a Roman poet from Hispania (modern Spain) best known for his twelve books of ''Epigrams'', published in Rome between AD 86 and ...

claims that in their leisure time, and more relaxed surroundings of rural life, hardly anyone used it. Even in the city, some high-ranking citizens wore light, Greek-style sandals, rather than ''calcei'', to "go with the crowd".Edmonson, J. C., ''in'' Edmondson, J. C., and Keith, A., (Editors), ''Roman Dress and the Fabrics of Roman Culture'', University of Toronto Press, 2008, pp. 45-47 and note 75

References

Roman-era clothing Historical footwear {{AncientRome-stub

See also

References