De vintage kledingkast van Griekse goden. Duurzaamheid en goddelijke klederdracht in tempels en heiligdommen

Abstract

The vintage wardrobe of Greek gods. Sustainability and divine dress in ancient temples and sanctuaries. 

Abstract: Dress and dress practices represent the socialisation, negotiation, and public dis play of identity (gender, age, ethnicity, etc.) as well as values, attitude (style), social roles, and societal change. Both mortals and gods dress with this in mind. The temple treasury not only housed valuable objects such as coins, offerings, and paraphernalia, but also the deity’s wardrobe – of which some temple inventories provide an itemised list. These inventories show how frequently a deity updates their wardrobe and emphasize the value of their dress. How did gods acquire their dress? How does the concept of reuse play a role in temple inventories? What does it mean for a god to wear ‘second-hand’ or vintage clothing? And why does a god wear human clothing? This article explores how clothing entered temple inventories through purchases, dedications, and involuntary dedications. By comparing temple inventories with decrees regulating clothing restrictions and depictions of dress offerings on votive reliefs and pottery, we gain insights into sustainability in ancient temples and sanctuaries.