Greek dress: a study of the costumes worn in ancient Greece, from pre-Hellenic times to the Hellenistic age

"Greek Dress: A Study of the Costumes Worn in Ancient Greece, from Pre-Hellenic Times to the Hellenistic Age" by Ethel B. Abrahams is a scholarly work written in the early 20th century. This book delves into the evolution and characteristics of clothing in ancient Greece, covering a broad timeline from pre-Hellenic civilization through the Hellenistic period. The focus is on how dress reflects societal and cultural changes, emphasizing the distinctions between Doric and Ionic styles and the significance these clothing types had in ancient Greek life. The opening of the work presents a preface where Abrahams outlines her objective: to provide a comprehensive account of Greek dress over time, utilizing archaeological findings and literary references. She discusses the early civilizations of the Aegean and contrasts the elaborate costumes found in Mycenæan art with the simpler garments described in Homeric works. Abrahams indicates that the differences in dress point towards a significant cultural shift between the pre-Hellenic inhabitants and the Hellenic Greeks, with highlighted discussions on the influences of invasions and the incorporation of diverse elements into the costumes of later periods. Overall, the introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of ancient Greek fashion and its cultural implications.