A toga was the national outer garment of men in ancient Rome. A woollen cloak, of elliptical, or in later times crescent shape, with pointed ends, about three or four meters long, it was worn over the tunic, and wrapped round the body in various ways, but generally with one end hanging in front to the ankles, and the other drawn round the back under the right arm, and thrown over the left shoulder. The use of the toga was forbidden to slaves and foreigners, and when under the late republic it was replaced for ordinary wear by other garments, it remained a ceremonial and official robe until the 5th century AD The toga candida, whitened with chalk, was worn by candidates for office, and the embroidered toga picta by generals at their triumphs, while the toga praetexta, with a purple hem, was the dress of free-born boys and of curule magistrates. Emperors wore purple togas. Research Toga
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