Dr Mary Harlow, from the University of Leicester, gave a fascinating interactive talk at Guildford High School on the Roman toga, its significance in Roman society and how it was manufactured.
Dr Harlow brought her talk to life for her audience from GHS and two visiting schools (King Edward’s, Witley and Nonsuch High, Cheam) with a suitcase-full of props, including spun and woven woollen cloth, an array of drop-spindles for children in the audience to try their hand with, a Roman tunic and, of course, a toga – much appreciated in the dressing-up session at the end.
The extraordinary amount of yarn (around 40 km) needed to make a single toga, the likely size of the loom to weave it on (perhaps 5 m) and the total effort involved (approaching 1000 hours) all raise doubts about claims that Roman women in the classical period made togas at home for their menfolk.
Many thanks to Dr Harlow for coming so far to deliver an exciting and memorable talk and for bringing such interesting exhibits. Thanks, also, to Mr Andrew James & GHS for hosting the meeting and to Mr Adam Key from Nonsuch High for bringing additional togas for staff and pupils to try.
The Guildford Classical Association 