Clothing

Where did the Mycenaeans get their materials from?

Their clothes were made from wool found in sheep and goats’ fur, and linen from flax plants

How did the Mycenaeans dye their clothes?

They added a dye, then fixed it with either urine or vinegar

What colours could the Mycenaeans dye their clothes?

Red, yellow, blue and purple (but some clothes were left in their natural beige shades, especially for the poorest in the city)

Where did blue dye come from?

Indigo

Where did red dye come from?

Insect eggs or madder

Where did yellow dye come from?

Onion skins or saffron

Where did purple dye come from?

Shellfish ink

Which colour was the most expensive?

Purple, as it was very difficult to obtain shellfish or their ink, so only royalty would have worn this colour

What jobs were created from making clothes?

Preparing the wool, spinning the wool, dyeing the wool, weaving the wool

How is the fresco of a Mycenaean woman useful?

We can see typical Mycenaean clothing and jewellery fashions, as well as the techniques used to create the artwork and the style that the Mycenaean artist had

What does the fresco show?

A woman holding (and wearing) a necklace, with her hair tied in an elaborate pattern, wearing a tight bodice. It is suggested that she is a goddess due to the gift of a necklace and the wealth of the woman

How were women portrayed in art?

With white skin to highlight their status, as women who didn’t have to work could stay inside so not get a tan - although their natural skin colour would be darker than the image (this is also how goddesses were usually portrayed)

What did Mycenaean women usually wear?

A short sleeved blouse over a thin bodice (which may or may not have covered her breasts, done to emphasise her body, and if it did cover the breasts, the top was only a thin tight fitting layer of fabric used to highlight the shape of her body), robes, cloaks, shawls, ornate headbands and ankle jewellery was also worn. On the bottom half, a colourful, long, tiered skirt was worn which had several thin layers

What did Mycenaean men usually wear?

Braided, short sleeve tunic, robe (some soldiers wore a kilt-like garment), a loin cloth, leather boots but many went barefoot