A ''subligaculum'' was a kind of

underwear Underwear, underclothing, or undergarments are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usually in direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than a single layer. They serve to keep outer clothing from being soiled ...

worn by

ancient Romans The Roman people was the ethnicity and the body of Roman citizenship, Roman citizens (; ) during the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. This concept underwent considerable changes throughout the long history of the Roman ...

. It could come either in the form of a pair of shorts, or in the form of a simple loincloth wrapped around the lower body. It could be worn both by men and women. In particular, it was part of the dress of

gladiator A gladiator ( , ) was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their ...

athlete An athlete is most commonly a person who competes in one or more sports involving physical strength, speed, power, or endurance. Sometimes, the word "athlete" is used to refer specifically to sport of athletics competitors, i.e. including track ...

s, and

actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

s on the stage. Leather ''subligacula'' have been found in excavations of 1st century Roman London.

Design and Function

The longer-form ''subligaculum'' that forms a loin cloth is tied as follows: First, the strings are tied around the waist with the long part hanging down back, covering the buttocks. Next, the long part is brought down between the legs and pulled up behind the knot tied in front. Then it is draped over the ties so it forms a loincloth.

Use by Gladiators

The subligaculum undergarment was commonly worn by Roman Gladiators, particularly the provocator, one of the more traditional types. This challenger-class fighter, active from the

Republic A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...

into Imperial times, typically wore the subligaculum along with standard gear like a visored helmet, a single greave on the left leg, and minimal armour. The subligaculum was a functional and essential part of a gladiator’s attire, offering modesty and freedom of movement in combat. File:Bronze statuette of a hoplomachus (a type of gladiator in ancient Rome, armed to resemble a Greek hoplite), 2nd century AD, Neues Museum, Berlin.jpg, A statuette of a Hoplomachus (pl. hoplomachi) gladiator in ancient Rome, armed to resemble a Greek

Hoplite Hoplites ( ) ( ) were citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields. Hoplite soldiers used the phalanx formation to be effective in war with fewer soldiers. The formation discouraged the sold ...

(soldier with heavy armor and helmet, a round shield, a spear and a sword) wearing a bronze helmet, a manica on his right arm, loincloth (subligaculum). File:Detail of Gladiator mosaic, a Thraex (left) fighting a Murmillo (right), Römerhalle, Bad Kreuznach, Germany (8196070427).jpg, Detail of Gladiator mosaic showing a Thraex and a Murmillo gladiator fighting, each wearing distinct armor and Subligaculum loincloth. File:Romanbikini.gif, Bikini-like leather ''subligaculum'' found in excavations of Roman London (

Museum of London London Museum (known from 1976 to 2024 as the Museum of London) is a museum in London, covering the history of the city from prehistoric to modern times, with a particular focus on social history. The Museum of London was formed in 1976 by ama ...

)

References

Roman-era clothing Undergarments {{Clothing-stub

Design and Function

Use by Gladiators

See also

References