Why didn't the Greeks or Romans wear pants?

In 397 AD, pants were declared illegal in the city of Rome. The ban was repeated twice, and dire penalties were threatened against anyone depraved enough to wear trousers in public. This video explains why the Greeks and Romans scorned pants, and surveys the strange and wonderful world of classical clothing along the way.
For more on classical clothing and many other aspects of daily life in the ancient world, check out my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans. You can preview the book on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Naked-Statues-...
If you're so inclined, you can follow me elsewhere on the web:
/ toldinstone
/ toldinstone
/ toldinstone
/ 20993845.garrett_ryan
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Clothing in Ancient Greece
2:21 Clothing in Ancient Rome
3:20 An Illuminating Dialogue
4:25 Barbarians and their Pants
5:33 Pants in the Roman Military
Thanks for watching!

[@DarthHater100]

Do you think the ancient Greeks or Romans imagined that one day thousands of years later, people would be making videos that analyze their lack of pants?

[@General_Griffin]

I'm sure one of their many philosophers did. lol

[@commonconservative7551]

the children probably told them they were dumbasses , but got shot down

[@DarthHater100]

@TurnedLeftAtTheRockyMountains My question was rhetorical.

[@macgyvervanschwartzenstall4662]

yes

[@joecool9739]

They had no idea what a "video" was, so no

[@babitayadav4806]

I remember thinking of this question when playing barbarian invasion total war wherein if your general had "hates people with pants" you would get +1 morale against barbarians

[@Intranetusa]

The kingdom of Zhao from China's Warring States period was considered a semi-barbarian kingdom by the other kingdoms for adopting barbarian customs...including trouser-wearing cavalrymen.

[@babitayadav4806]

@@Intranetusa indeed real men fight in skirts

[@t.wcharles2171]

Ironic seeing as by that time most of the roman military wore trousers

[@michaelcaplin8969]

As someone who has gotten to know the joy of wearing a tunic without pants in the scorching summer because I'm working as a guide in a medieval museum, I don't even need to watch the video to know that the main reason is that it's so freaking superior to pants it's unbelievable. I'll watch the video anyway because I like you.

[@michaelcaplin8969]

@@tchaika2697 Well, considering the ridiculously low number of people back then who ever got to ride a horse, I'd say it's not relevant to anyone other than nobles or high up command in the militaries. But, I'd assume it's not super comfy, no.

[@Blox117]

@@michaelcaplin8969 your mom also knew the joys of wearing no pants

[@Strick-IX]

You get paid to NOT wear pants all day? Sounds like a dream job.

[@hihohe4067]

Id say the northern slaves from gaul who had to face harsher winters would disagree. No one likes frozen nuts. Togas are hard to wear while hunting or traveling through the cold swamps so pants it is!

[@garlicjrmade6409]

simple mind comes to simple conclusion, my crotch gets a nice breeze while I frolic around a museum, OK DUDE.

[@johnrohde5510]

The introduction of trousers/pants seems to be associated with the development of horse riding as a high status activity. So we see the early Insular Celts wearing linen tunic/shirts but no trousers but later British and Gaulish tribes with them. The return to hose in the middle ages might also merit consideration.

[@johnrohde5510]

@super spade engage brain before typing: the place where men tend to go without trousers today and did customarily until the around 1750 when the kilt was banned, is Scotland; more specifically, the Highlands, which do not have a Mediterranean climate I assure you.

[@johnrohde5510]

@super spade rudeness is not a substitute for argument. You obviously have no idea of what a Highland Winter is like (hint: they have a ski resort there). You are also mistaking modern Highland dress for what is worn today: historical Highland dress was a linen shirt and a blanket. Shoes, let alone socks, were the prerogative of the rich. The earliest trousers to be found were among Steppe nomads and tailored for riding.

[@sternamc919sterna3]

The Highlanders were horseriders too? In Portugal there is a region of Miranda do Douro (NE) were the men have that celtic dressing, games, dancing and music instruments - Pauliteiros de Miranda. Please check kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXyQdqZmh711pM0

[@velvetcroc9827]

Riding was a high social status activity in ancient Rome too. The equites class duh

[@johnrohde5510]

@@velvetcroc9827 Rome was further from the centre of the development of horse riding to replace chariotry and equites, while the highest band in terms of wealth, were of little military significance in Roman armies. Most Greek city states also had an equestrian class, derived from their chariot fighting aristocracy.

[@_damdifino]

The real question is, why don't we wear hemations today. Seems so airy and refreshing...

[@danielchequer5842]

I think the first obvious answer is bc it looks pretty gay and silly in the eyes of most ppl. Secondly we have shorts which are kind of "fresher" pants

[@dreamer2260]

​@@danielchequer5842 If that's the case then those people are silly homophobes.

[@danielchequer5842]

@@dreamer2260 yes they are, and in the society we live, looking "gay" or "straight" in some extreme cases can be the difference between life and death. Something that wasn't the case in Rome or Greece

[@dreamer2260]

@@danielchequer5842 Yes. Much of current 'Western' (and non-Western) culture is toxic.

[@tappaiden]

@@dreamer2260 idk about you, but I don’t want to have my balls being flashed at every gust of wind, plus, wearing such a garment is pretty impractical and would require knowledge of how to wear and how to sit before widespread adoption.

[@Galejro]

Well I recall a small fact from my country Poland. Since the earliest times till the mid communist era little boys ages 0-5 usually wore the same girl skirted dresses as little girls in the countryside. The reason was that people couldn't afford diapers cloths or washing them was impractical, so lil boys before they learned to control their physiology just shat underneath themselves and a skirt was practical. Dunno about scotch Kilts or roman wears but I assume it's a matter of practicality. That plus the fact that Romans shat in public latrines a skirted outfit is also there to preserve modesty.

[@samuelhain2712]

Quit talking shit!

[@princered10]

From a practical standpoint, I can only imagine it had something to do with hygiene and the use of public toilets. You'd look rather silly sitting on a latrine with pants around your ankles, whereas a toga offers a bit more privacy in that area. Also, since they didn't have the best hygiene for wiping, their pants probably would get ruined rather quickly. This is just a guess though.

[@stephanedorion992]

Try going a week without wiping... See how much it's enjoyable.

[@Christ_is_Lord7]

@@stephanedorion992 no I will not be doing that

[@TimThomason]

@@Christ_is_Lord7 Username does not check out.

[@princered10]

@@stephanedorion992 Romans did wipe but from what I understand, at least in public toilets, they would share the same stick for wiping. I don't know how often they would wash/change the sponge but either way it's still pretty disgusting by modern standards.

[@dutchchessbetterthancheese1239]

Wearing a toga was much easier when mooning the enemy, simple explanation.

[@K1lostream]

They may have banned pants, but I'm sure there were at least small pockets of resistance.

[@triciasomogyi5431]

😆

[@Meadras]

Talk about a rule that was made to be skirted

[@rydervandyke4829]

This channel is incredible. Thank you for your work!

[@Justinechunna]

Thank you for the great video! I love your sense of humor ❤❤

[@toldinstone]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@omar10213245]

@amber wadsworth marry me

[@GMS-ChaabarYakalATL]

@@omar10213245 🤨📸

[@ultor7654]

A lot of sense of humor here alongside amazing knowledge thank you so mush Sir!

[@toldinstone]

You're very welcome!

[@annakonda6727]

Loved the dialogues, but then the whole video was as entertaining as it was informative. Thanks!

[@miadora50]

Interesting and full of humour ! Thanks ! I'll subscribe so I can follow you !

[@peterstation]

Thé Dialogue was critical to my learning thank you 😂🥰

[@7hilladelphia]

Ahhh that's it, my working title: The Revenge of the Pantaloon.

[@toldinstone]

A musical, I hope?

[@craigsmith4105]

Or the Pantheon?

[@blakduk]

Weird pants related rules and mores are even more recent than most people realise. The Duke of Wellington, the winner of the battle of Waterloo, was refused entry to his London club at the height of his fame for daring to wear trousers. The convention at the time was for gentlemen to only wear breaches!

[@toldinstone]

I didn't know that fun fact - thanks for sharing!

[@Sshooter444]

Breeches had been out of style for 15 years by that time, only breeches were worn at the most formal occasions.

[@pierren___]

He also allowed the grenadiers To wear bearskin- like The French Guards they just beated.

[@bookofmary1295]

Imagine being the person that had the audacity to tell lord Wellington he couldn’t do any thing. Pompous idiotic asshats were so widespread it’s honestly impressive the British military was as successful as it was.

[@TimThomason]

John Quincy Adams was the first President to wear pants, full trousers instead of tight knee-length breeches and stockings, to his inauguration and regularly in an attempt to resemble "the working man".

[@ulysses-8388]

Just now finding this gem, love your videos keep up the great work doc!

[@toldinstone]

Glad to hear it!

[@danpictish5457]

As a kilt wearer, I would also make pants illegal!

[@blackbird5634]

the Samoan Sarong is a joy for the free baller.

[@jonathanlee5907]

Go commando!

[@eyeofbast]

Until you work in construction, ranch/farming or any profession where not having your leg skin flayed is preferable.

[@blackbird5634]

@@eyeofbast Well, I can say you must NEVER cook bacon in the nude!!

[@renman103]

plus the sheep can hear a zipper a mile away

[@srslurp5579]

Dude, I've been searching for this video my whole life! Thanks for making this dude!

[@emilycampbell6375]

I love this style of video, you should make more like this :D

[@Accuaro]

I'm sure you've fixed it by now but in case you haven't you have your microphone set up wrong. If that is a Blue Yeti, you have the Blue logo and mute button face you, not facing downwards. It's a bit deceiving ik, but the mic has to be upright and it's best set on the cardioid setting.

[@luisferrosa2076]

I subscribed just because of the dialogues 🤣🤣🤣. Loved the video!

[@toldinstone]

Glad to hear it!

[@ashleylucas5245]

I’m so glad I found your videos! I started reading your book to my teens today, and they are happy to have these videos to go with it!

[@richardcleveland8549]

Informative and droll; a fine combination. Mille grazie!

[@godschild7486]

I’m obsessed with this channel lol

[@toldinstone]

Glad to hear it!

[@user-ll9hb3sd8h]

Greeks did use pants... From the Seleucid era we have Greek "philoi" that were the friends of the king wearing pants in the Seleucid court, Romans started to use pants in the late era due to German influence and the Greeks and later Byzantines keept wearing thier traditional hellenistic and eastern customs(from wich they got their pants) that are keept by the Greeks till today. In the David plates that were created somewhere between 610 and 620 in the Byzantine Empire to conmemorate Byzantine Emperor Heraclius victory over the persians. Saul the Biblical king is represented with a long ionic chiton, Chlamys and a diademma in the way of a Hellenistic king and his courtiers are dressed in a eastern fashion with long pants and long eastern tunics. The Byzantine ligth infantry (psilioi) of southern italy and the agean islands had to wear an Exomis and boots while the Psilioi infantry of Anatolia had to wear again a Exomis with cappadocian pants acorrding to the Strategikon of the Byzantine Emperor Leo the wise and we actually have a Byzantine ivory maded in Thessalonika conmemorating the Byzantine victoy over the Lombards in 978 were the ligth infantry acutally had to wear a ancient Greek exomis, pants and white boots that is the custom showed at: 1:58 not only that. Byzantine priests and common folk did keep using the Himation untill 1453 as the Vatopedi psalter show us and gained fame again during the renaissense. In short pretty much Hellenistic traditions and custom were well alive in the Byzantine Empire however Roman customs and traditions in Italy had a really hard time first by the massive Hellenization of the Byzantine Emperor Basil i and by the battlefield that Italy was during the middle ages.

[@toldinstone]

Thank you for sharing!

[@user-ll9hb3sd8h]

@@toldinstone Thanks for this awesome video! much admiration for your videos.

[@toldinstone]

@@user-ll9hb3sd8h I'm very glad to hear it!

[@manuelkong10]

what a GREAT vid....watching a second time immediately

[@toldinstone]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@violetrose415]

"Pants wearing rebels in catacombs" just GOT ME!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@toldinstone]

:)

[@tangogent]

You are so charmingly louche in your videos, that I had to buy your book. I look forward to reading it. x

[@JuanCanuck]

1:33 the farmers tan makes this so much more Roman its great

[@prosegold]

This for sure was my favorite episode Love your humor dr !

[@edwardlewis1963]

forest for the trees. pants are to skirts as cars are to bicycles. Pants are much harder to make that a simple skirt; wrapping a towel around the waist functions as a simple skirt; adding a pin or clasp to hold it in place is an upgrade.

[@dconov]

How about the ancient fabric industry? Of course I have seen videos of fabric looms, but it would be interesting to see how the Greeks and Romans produced so much fabric; for clothing and for uses such as sails.

[@knucklesskinner253]

I thought u said snails and i was like: “yes, how did they make purple dye out of snails flr tunics?”

[@Rynewulf]

@@knucklesskinner253 Tbf they absolutely used snails for the colour purple right through to the end of the middle ages

[@rutrwer8220]

5:20 here the short answere.

[@nenggo2540]

Thank you

[@mspocahontas46]

Very informative in a sartorial sort of way. You’re great!

[@TravelClast]

you won my heart with the farmer tan toga Franzia ad ... fabulosus.

[@butchzamora]

There is uniqueness for each culture and civilization. This is what makes humanity exciting.

[@billpotmesil]

Cool! And informative!

[@toldinstone]

Glad to hear it!

[@GnomaPhobic]

Excellent dialogue. I was truly moved. 10/10 -The Spectator.

[@MichelleVisageOnlyFans]

I am glad the pants prevailed in the end, cos' "Keep your himation on!" wouldn't have the same ring to it, now would it?

[@toldinstone]

No, but how about "hang on to your himation"?

[@lechatel]

Nor is 'I bet she wears the himation in their house!'

[@Misses-Hippy]

My grandmother, born in 1907, broke with Canadian culture and dared wear pants. I never saw her wear a dress once. She was quite liberated for her time.

[@653j521]

Misses Hippy Did she live in the country or city? Rural women could wear men's clothes much earlier than city women.

[@Epsilonsama]

I wore an Alb back when I was a church altar boy and growing up in hot and himid weather of Puerto Rico I can tell you they sucked during summer days. I usually wore a light white shirt underneath and black pants so maybe that did not help matters.

[@toldinstone]

I can't imagine how uncomfortable it must have been to wear a heavy wool toga during a Roman summer.

[@luissantiago8446]

@@toldinstone That is implying that Romans were ignorant on grades and levels of wool quality. There are finer grades of wool one can wear in warmer weather. Like the tropic weight wool suits worn today. Togas were not worn by everybody, and were not a practical item of clothing. I'm sure the Roman's wore clothing according that was practical for the climate.

[@mikelastname1220]

When I was an altar boy, we wore a long full length black cassock and a half length white surplice. In he hot summer time, when you first put them on you immediately just knew you were going to burn up in them. But, once a few minutes passed by, you actually felt comfortable and cool in them.

[@jeremyd1869]

Fun video. Thanks for sharing.

[@toldinstone]

My pleasure

[@curtisarnold9245]

Great video, mate

[@dinkmartini3236]

Because..."I've got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle!"

[@sebastianb1910]

OH LILLY BELL

[@connectthestardots5273]

Question: I lived in Rome and there are only 3 months of the year that are warm enough to wear tunics and other styles of clothing so often seen on ancient Roman statues. One of my biggest questions was/is: “How did ancient Romans stay warm 9 months of the year? Why we don’t see any depictions of their warm clothing?” Rome is very hot only approximately 6 weeks in August and early September. Most other months, night are chilly. I used to believe the Mediterranean areas were warm all year. No way! Damp and cold Springs and Winters!

[@pynn1000]

Wool (woven, crocheted and felted) fur and leather were used for clothing, from archaeological evidence + we know wool was produced locally *and* brought in. There's written evidence that Augustus felt the cold: he wore a woolly vest under 4 tunics, then a toga on top, so layering may have been common.

[@connectthestardots5273]

@@pynn1000 This sounds very practical for Rome, which feels mostly (non-freezing) damp and cold many months of the year. 🙂 Just like ancient Rome, modern Rome is a city of cement. There are very few houses and many apartment buildings made of cement. Very few gardens or natural yards. Mostly everything is cement. Cement holds moisture. Homes in Rome are damp and mildew is a common problem. However, in previous years natural fire was more commonly used to heat homes. Fire heat (especially wood burning fire) is a dehumidifier which balances the air moisture.

[@0xsergy]

keep in mind climates change. the middle east used to be jungle. maybe ancient rome was a bit warmer and less damp? less co2 would mean less rain, etc.

[@thecianinator]

@@0xsergy there was the Roman warm period of a few hundred years.

[@KDeds21]

The climate in Europe was a lot warmer from 250 BC to 400AD. Look up the Roman warm period.

[@charlottebailey1124]

Very amusing and very educational . First rate!

[@nicholasemerson1]

Love the deadpan jokes and “stone dry” humor. 🤣😂🤣

[@TWOCOWS1]

also, don't forget that pants create a lot of heat/sweet in a man's "jewel box", making it uncomfortable and even susceptible to bacterial growth and disease. this was even more so it a guy was anatomically "blessed"

[@toldinstone]

Yes, tunics make a lot of sense in a Mediterranean climate

[@TWOCOWS1]

@@toldinstone they do, dont they? Arabs wear the long open tunic/robe to let it air. next time in italy, just put on kilts or a roman toga, and notice the total deference in the oppressing heat of the climate. it becomes a breeze, totally nice. put a linen shade/turban/kefiya on your head, and you can walk into the blazing sun, no problem

[@uppitywhiteman6797]

@@TWOCOWS1 Let's start a trend. "Manly tunics". Brand name? "Told in Stone Tunics." Great merch.

[@TWOCOWS1]

@@uppitywhiteman6797 :-)

[@xotan]

@@toldinstone Only in summer. I live in the Languedoc and have been on occasions snowed in.

[@cherylsmith4826]

Anti-Trouser Squads- 😄 -your Greek & Roman clothing dialog is priceless

[@Vodhin]

"What happened to the third dimension?" or "My, your Stola makes you look flat..."

[@helmutzollner5496]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@toldinstone]

You’re very welcome

[@dougrogan379]

We can see who wears the paints in this episode

[@kyleanuar9090]

??? Paints?

[@bobbylee2853]

Only Barbarians wore face paint and pants.

[@danpictish5457]

War Paints!

[@Omar-lq3ri]

When you did the female voice I died. This is quality content and I’ll be buying your book soon

[@kevinnodine6266]

Wtf man. Lol. Another why am I watching this at 3 am video. Oh well, still enjoying it. You deserve more subs.

[@MrFersitos]

Interesting!! Thankyou so much!!

[@RadoDani]

I’m under COVID lockdown. I did not put on pants nor underwear since Tuesday. 😜

[@fredblonder7850]

TMI

[@cooldaddy232]

Sweety,,just wear those pants,,, like it’s your last day,, lol,!

[@aquariandawn4750]

I like just wearing a long tshirt

[@kuvasz5252]

Et tu, Brute?

[@aquariandawn4750]

@@kuvasz5252 now I want to see pantless brutes

[@luckytoastsebastian]

I once read an article about "pirate boots" stolen from the Spanish cavalry were made from the hind legs of the horse. The horse "heel" fit the human knee. The upper leg was wide and became a pocket. When the pirate was on shore leave they let the tops down therefore rendering them rakeish Does that last picture allude to that? The boots are even facing the right way and in the right spot of the hidden back of the horse. I've often wondered if the phrase often uttered by many a parent to a teen exploring their fashion sense "You look like a horses ass." Was related to this. Any body know of any other research on "pirate" boots or the like?

[@nickfirth4440]

I think you're referring to thigh boots, yes you're going right definitely for horse riding. Due to the excessive wear on fabric on the inner thigh and from foliage on the outer side. Great for stashing the odd pistol etc too.

[@louisebelair2245]

Funny and instructive, I like it!

[@paulkoza8652]

From the comments, and I didn't read all of them, you certainly set off a bomb. You should be happy to know that not only was this video entertaining, but the peanut gallery exceeded even my expectations. Bwahaha!

[@kelvinkersey5058]

very confusing for Brits, 'pants' to us means exclusively (and ok illogically) underpants. Under the trousers or jeans. Now, did the Romans wear underwear?

[@toldinstone]

I've actually had a few commenters ask about the underwear. The short answer is: not usually. If anything, it seems to have been customary to wear light linen undertunics.

[@Mu-zw5bm]

And that's why "pantsu" is underwear in Japanese huh...

[@eresoup7229]

@@Mu-zw5bm huh. I study Japanese and have never thought about that. The funny thing about Japanese loan words is that it lends words from a wide array of languages and sometimes it sounds like a corrupted English loan word when in reality it’s just been loaned from a different language. Im not sure how true this is, but I heard someone say that the japanese loanword fore butter that just reads bata is actually loaned from Dutch

[@Cheeseatingjunglista]

@@toldinstone There are many examples of Roman underpants in the Museum of London, all found in and around the city. Vindolanda also has a few. So perhaps not in Rome itself, but head north and only a fool let the nuts freeze

[@francaspini4938]

The Romans did wear underwear, the most fundamental of which was a loincloth knotted on both sides.

[@celebalert5616]

I will no longer be wearing pants. When in Rome ...

[@crawfordsmith7442]

6May21: Dear Sir ~ I have now watched 4 or 5 of your presentations. For some reason they help me relax. Thank you.

[@toldinstone]

You're very welcome

[@20thcenturyboy85]

Cool vid!

[@toldinstone]

Thanks!

[@frederickbowdler1509]

Possibly due to the lack of sewing machines, denim, and modern button technology. I also noted a lack of in chariot stereo entertainment and no subwoofers how did they play their marble ansd bronze CD, s. Great video thanks so much.

[@MaximilianOOO491]

I’ll stick with my tunic thank you very much 🥻

[@keithfernandez1600]

Your voicing of the matron was gold

[@eliletts8149]

I always thought that the ancient Greeks and Romans didn't wear pants because pants didn't exist yet! Now I know the real reason why they didn't wear pants!Thanks for sharing this information!

[@dandyrevisionist7879]

I live in Costa Rica, the weather here is similar to Florida, meaning, I find stupid to wear pants here, I'm actually using shortpants and sandals.

[@elizabethnewell3133]

Nice content, even if the video itself is a bit basic. Good job. Wondering now when pants first became acceptable for women in that region. Modern era only or were there early forays into bifurcated garments for gals?

[@toldinstone]

Thank you - and yes, I'm afraid that video editing is not my forte. With any luck, the next video will at least have better lighting... Women in the Classical world did not wear pants, but some "barbarian" women did. Scythian women were particularly known for this, and likely inspired the Greco-Roman tradition about the Amazons (who are sometimes shown wearing pants in Greek vase paintings).

[@magistrumartium]

@ Elizabeth Newell Pants became acceptable for women in that region when they took "men's jobs" during the world wars (factory work, truck driving, etc.); that is, starting in 1914.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Women used to have to ride side-saddle in dresses: Queen Elizabeth II used to do that on formal occasions, before she stopped riding. That was not feasible on a bicycle, so bloomers became more-or-less acceptable for female cyclists in the 19th century, before women's bikes were invented.

[@CJ-hz1uj]

toldinstone, enjoyed the creativity elicited by limitations of time and resources. It was not at all boring.

[@elburko9453]

Very well and amusingly done within charming non mega budget means.

[@joebishman6163]

You don not want to mess with "big toga".

[@lambastepirate]

I would have thought riding horses would require the use of pants. I would not want to be on one if he decided he wanted to run through a bunch of brush and I was wearing nothing on my legs!!!

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Generally, the horse does not get to choose the terrain. Greek and Roman cavalry usually had their calves armored, and their thighs would be safe from all but the most belligerent undergrowth.

[@lambastepirate]

@@Psychol-Snooper HAHAHAHAAH Some horses have a mind and will of thair own some could be considered a bit vengeful. Grieves only cover the front half of your calves your thighs will be cut up take it from a Texan that has been around horses most of my life thair is some awful thick brush out in the wild. They will run through brush higher than your head and scrape you off thair back some are meaner and or smarter than others !!

[@Psychol-Snooper]

@@lambastepirate You definitely don't mind lying. Why don't you look up Ancient Greek, and Roman *greaves. You'll note they often start above the knee and wrap around the entire lower leg. Also ancient people were not idiots and would not allow their legs to be shredded, but your assumption that they would is rather odd. Military horses were not pets. Temperamental animals were not selected for service because that would be fatal to the rider, and Cavalry was not famously not deployed in wooded areas (as well as many other terrain types) where it is considered inferior to infantry. And oddly, neither the ancient Greeks nor Romans fought in Texas. Cheers!

[@lambastepirate]

@@Psychol-Snooper Well closed greaves where not around till around 1300 AD long after western Rome fell. I also see you are not a fan of cavalry or you would have know horses do crazy things some times, such as running towards the enemy when they are not supposed to, or running the opposite direction!! All those horse riding peoples the romans dealt with wore pants. Do you think they wore them as protection for thair legs or what? Mabey that is why they hired them as auxiliary troops? And might that be why the romans would not wear them, who would want to look like a dreaded barbarian, some of the ancients knew how to keep thair legs safe, not so much the romans though, after all they would not want to look like a barbarian. I have always thought it strange they adopted so many other peoples weapons and technologies, why not pants? In Texas we have all the types of land you would find in Greece or the Roman empire except for green mountains. The cavalry fought when and where they where told sometimes as dismounted infantry when needed. Go look up greaves again it looks like you need to as I told you the truth makes me think you are a troll saying I was lying!

[@Psychol-Snooper]

@@lambastepirate So you start off repeating your lie again, even after I told you how to look it up, so I have no intention of reading any of that. In fact I'll just block you because that's what dishonest people deserve.

[@SatansSimgma]

Native Americans thought pants were stupid because you can't fight with your pants around your ankles.

[@cliffords2315]

LOL Native Americans HAD PANTS do some reading bub, and go to a Museum

[@ganondalf8090]

@@cliffords2315 you're both wrong. Guess what, native Americans had different cultures! Chances are that some peoples wore pants, and some didn't.

[@Lucius1958]

@@ganondalf8090 In North America, First Nations people generally wore leggings with a breechcloth in colder weather, not trousers _per se_ .

[@BeckVMH]

Apparently a belt wasn’t a thing yet.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

As a Cree,it depended on the season. We wore leggings and full leathers.

[@endrawes0]

That was some very impressive writing in the dialogs

[@danielposavec7215]

The dialogues are hilarious!!! 😂

[@EyeLean5280]

In 397 the Roman empire was in * serious * trouble, and they were worried about britches???

[@thomasmusso1147]

Shades of Western Civilization today? 'Britches' having being replaced by whatever ..

[@toldinstone]

The britches ban was related to the larger problems, since those who wore them were usually barbarians or soldiers. The anti-pants laws can be seen as a measure intended to limit the military presence in Rome. But they also reflect the often untimely moralism implicit in much Roman legislation.

[@MonkeyspankO]

Unfortunately some small dogs are not deterred by pants. :)

[@toldinstone]

All too true, alas...

[@thomasmusso1147]

From the book 'Jock of the Bushveld' by Sir Percy Fritzpatrick, there were those who would have rather sacrificed skin than a brand new pair of pants.

[@patrickpaganini]

You will confuse many English speakers using the word "pants", as it means underwear.

[@majorkursk780]

Interesting facts!

[@suzannehartmann946]

I was a revolutionary for pants. As a kid (I am 64) girls were required to wear dresses or skirts at school. In high school we had a requirement it had to be only so far above the knee. Well the pantsuit craze hit for the little old lady crowd which dominated the market in stores in Florida and the miniskirt dominated for adult women in the younger crowd. In January one year I could not BUY a dress or skirt that matched their darn rules. In bitter cold our bus did not show. I SNAPPED. When they sent another bus when I DID get to school I marched into the principals office without waiting for permission, ranted about boys staring at me when I drank water from a fountain waiting to see if they could get a glimpse of panty while I did, getting cold every winter and how JEANS would cover more, not being able to buy what they wanted after hours of shopping. I would be wearing PANTS tomorrow to school SUSPEND ME! My dad being a prominent pastor, and me having got home and repeated the rant, and repeated it. He made a few calls, there was an emergency school board meeting. They changed the rule to allow girls to wear pants. It seemed like the only time being a PK (pastors kid) paid off.

[@marydonohoe8200]

Brilliant and brave. I’m so proud of you (as a 73-yr-old who survived the same conventions!) I remember the COLD winter walks to school in skirts.

[@claudermiller]

I'm 64. I went to Withrow Jr Sr High in Cincinnati. I remember girls finally being able to wear pants.

[@amazinggrace5692]

I’m 63 and walked to and from school in some heavy snow. We too had to campaign for pants and a few years later for jeans. 💕🐝 Edit: aThis was the SE suburbs of Philly, PA.

[@springsogourne]

I’m 60. We were allowed to wear pant suits when I was in 6th grade. That would have been about 1971 or 1972. Lancaster County, PA

[@musiclover148]

In my hometown in Pennsylvania, high school girls were already wearing slacks and jeans at that time.

[@selfiekroos1777]

Sarongs are addictive, I understand.

[@justinriley9996]

Hum very interesting, great show.

[@nancyallen628]

I love listening to this again

[@straycat1674]

Anyone who’s ever worn a kilt knows why pants will always come second or third to a good target!

[@gerryhouska2859]

Never tried a kilt, but learned of the comfort of a sarong decades ago.

[@straycat1674]

@@gerryhouska2859 I’ve never worn one of those, but I know people who have. And it’s amazing how comfortable they are. Medically as well, they’re actually better for our genital health.

[@kayzeaza]

@@straycat1674 damn now I wish I lived somewhere it was acceptable to not wear pants

[@straycat1674]

@@kayzeaza well, that’s up to you. In today’s Climate, anyone who wants to talk crap about somebody for wearing a kilt, they do risk social annihilation. I mean, it’s up to you. If you want to wear a kilt, you wear a kilt.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

@@straycat1674 Anyone who's come to this conclusion has never done any serious labour or really anything while wearing the kilt lol. Go wack some weeds in the yard with that thing on. I'll wait. Exposing your genitals to dust, dirt, airborne bacteria and everything else is NOT good for genital health. Nor is having your nuts floating freely without support lol. Sperm count yes.........genital health absolutely not.

[@fwcolb]

Pants? You mean trousers? Yes, I see you provide a translation from American to English. Thanks.

[@lemonnlimepie9469]

That low angle shot is intimidating but his voice is relaxing

[@k.k9581]

Hello thanks for such good work I have question I live in jordan we have so many ancient historical sites some times I have seen carve of animals in the stones like snake or scorpion or fish or bowls I mean in the stone or even penas does they importance as buried fortune or what thanks

[@paulhunter6742]

Did he say that Ukrainians during Rome era wore clothes made out of Human skin? No wonder Russians have difficulty trying take country today. Hella tough people.

[@thediplomasta5891]

Fascinating. 🤔 So, since we wear pants now, I guess WE are the barbarians. This video has inspired me to open a Larp supply superstore. Thank you.

[@toldinstone]

I do what I can

[@manolomartinez5033]

Yes, we are all unironic barbarians

[@jimh3500]

I loved it. Loved it.

[@BigLeggedEmma]

Great humor!

[@antthegord9411]

it's actually kind of hilarious to imagine that, during the absolute shiteshow that was the late western roman empire, there was some kind of actual rebellion of pants-wearing people against the toga/skirt-wearing people inside Rome. Honestly with how "proud" they were, it would not surprise me if there were some sort of thing. Just remember that in Constantinople there were thousands of deaths over chariot racing team colors. (anyone who even tries to say that the Byzantine Empire was not just the remnant and continuation of the Roman Empire can fite me, they called themselves Romans so that's what I'll call them too.)

[@alfredorotondo]

The thing is different Ottomans too called themselves Romans, but they weren't Byzantines were Romans because they were the Eastern Roman Empire until the fall of the western one, and by it not existing anymore they became the only Roman Empire

[@TomorrowWeLive]

@@alfredorotondo no Ottomans did not call themselves Romans lol. Why would they even do that?

[@Quin_BNK]

Visigoths were also called romans by arabs during the 8th century, and germans also called themselves peoples of the holy roman empire

[@dlwatib]

Draped clothing rather than tailored clothing wasn't just a fashion statement. Tailored clothing required more technical skill to create. Working out how to cut the cloth for a crotch area was nonintuitive. Same goes for tailored sleeves. The more form-fitting the garment, the greater skill was required. And tailored clothing doesn't look all that great if it's baggy and not form fitting. It can also be uncomfortable if it's not fitted properly. If your culture didn't have anyone skilled in tailoring, you couldn't very well have nice, fashionable tailored clothing.

[@ihopetowin]

Placing ones feet on a table is barbarous and warrants exile.......for life.

[@YaMumsSpecialFriend]

Fascinating 🖖🏼

[@toldinstone]

Glad to hear it!

[@RonaldLangereis]

"Nonne bracas geris?" "Bracasne dixisti? Persae bracas gerunt. Ego cives Romanus sum!"

[@mireillelebeau2513]

Bravo! I'm impressed.

[@user-bf8ud9vt5b]

Romane, i domum! Bracae optimae sunt!

[@freespirit995]

There might also have been a military reason. I once saw a documentary about Scottish troops in the first world war. One man said it was better to charge the enemy trenches wearing a kilt: if the material got caught by barbed wire, it was easier to take off the kilt, unpin it and charge on, whereas dealing with trousers (or Scottish 'trews') would have been a more complicated business under fire... When fighting the barbarians in the forest, there might have been advantages in the knee-length tunic.

[@baneofbanes]

Not really, otherwise pants would’ve been abandoned by solders everywhere a long time ago. More lily is that pants, a fundamentally cold weather clothing item, weren’t needed in the warm Mediterranean.

[@LauraS1]

You know, he's right about a tunic being cooler on hot days than a pair of pants, or even shorts really. A long, floor-length tunic can also be warmer than you might thing in the winter, too, especially if it is made of fairly thick wool. What it does is to trap a bubble of warm air next to your legs and keep it there, "warm" being relative, of course. I know as a woman, I find long skirts that reach the floor are quite comfortable and warm in the winters and swirl around my legs without impeding my motion at all, keeping my legs warm by trapping air next to them. Also given that people of past eras also tended to wear multiple layers at once helped keep them either cool or warm when the weather was more extreme, I imagine they were largely pretty comfy. We think we wear a lot of layers today since we wear undergarments, perhaps a pair of pants atop that, some socks on our feet, and a shirt, and we're dressed but people in history wore a heck of a lot more (and sometimes less) than we do at any given time. I am, among other things, a historical costumer (and theater costumer) and know a fair bit, although I am not an expert overall, about the clothing worn at various times in European history. Also, I definitely want to sign up to be a clandestine pants rebel. I'm totally there for the secret fabric exchange. 😁

[@wagahagwa6978]

greek guy: hah u die of heatstroke in summer sun roman guy: u die of heat from your burning house