Start Date
16 October, 2025
There will be 3 weekly meetings on Thursday, 2- 4pm, starting from 16 October.
Overview
The study of dress in the Ancient Classical World is a thriving area of research, encouraged by the development of state-of-the-art scientific techniques. Sessions will examine the various sources of evidence and the differing approaches to the study of male and female clothing over a period of around 2000 years, from the Greek Bronze Age until pre-Roman Italy.
Discussion will include a review of the unusual archaeological contexts in which clothing, or elements of clothing, have been preserved and how these rare survivals enable us to reconstruct the appearance of garments. Building on this, there will be consideration of the range of colours available in this period, together with any evidence of a symbolic significance associated with individual colours. Crucially, the course will also examine whether the surviving evidence, including the depiction of clothing in art, is biased towards haute couture rather than everyday dress.
This course aims to enable participants to acquire knowledge of the different types of male and female clothing from found in the Prehistoric Aegean, Ancient Greece and Pre-Roman Italy, revealed by depictions in art. In addition, the course will allow participants to acquire knowledge of the ways in which recently developed scientific techniques have the potential to increase our knowledge of clothing in the past.
No previous knowledge is assumed for this course, simply a wish to learn about male and female clothing and fashion in the past
Syllabus
Week 1: Male and female dress in the Prehistoric Aegean
Week 2: Male and female dress in Ancient Greece
Week 3: Male and female dress in Pre-Roman Italy
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier.
In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Georgina Muskett
In addition to a long association with Continuing Education at the University of Liverpool, Dr Georgina Muskett was formerly a lecturer in Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology at the university, where she taught courses in the art and archaeology of the Prehistoric Aegean and Ancient Greece. Gina is also an Honorary Research Fellow in the department of History, where her focus is on the collection of antiquities as part of the 18th century ‘Grand Tour’. She was formerly Curator of Classical Antiquities at National Museums Liverpool, where, as an Honorary Research Associate, she continues to research the classical collections. Gina is the author of several academic publications as well as writing for a more general market in both the UK and overseas on a wide range of topics.
Courses fees: Full fee £50/Concession £30.
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