Spinning Fates and the Song of the Loom: The Use of Textiles, Clothing and Cloth Production as Metaphor, Symbol and Narrative Device in Greek and Latin Literature

Textile imagery is pervasive in classical literature, with an awareness of the craft and technology of weaving and spinning, the production and consumption of clothing items, and the social and religious significance of garments. This book explores the literary exploitation of the imagery, concepts, and symbolism of ancient textiles and clothing, including readings of tragic instances of deadly peploi and fatal fabrics, female agency in the narrative of their production, and broader symbolic implications of textile-making within the sphere of natural wealth. The concepts and technological principles of ancient weaving are reflected in early Greek mathematic and logical thinking, and in archaic poetics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Textile imagery permeates classical literature, requiring a profound understanding of the craft and technology of weaving, spinning, clothing production, and their social and religious significance. This knowledge is essential to appreciating how textile and cloth metaphors function as literary devices, their suitability for conceptualizing human activities and representing cosmic realities, and their potential to evoke symbolic associations and generic expectations.

This comprehensive study, spanning mainly Greek and Latin poetic genres, while incorporating comparative evidence from other Indo-European languages and literature, presents a diverse yet cohesive portrayal of the literary exploitation of ancient textiles and clothing. The 18 chapters explore various topics, including reinterpretations of tragic incidents involving deadly peploi and fatal fabrics within a Near Eastern tradition of curse as garment. They also examine female agency in the narrative of textile production and advocate for broader symbolic implications of textile-making within the realm of natural wealth.

The concepts and technological principles of ancient weaving manifest as cognitive patterns that, through analogy rather than metaphor, are reflected in early Greek mathematic and logical thinking and in archaic poetics. The significance of weaving technology in early philosophical conceptions of cosmic order is revived by Lucretius' account of atomic compound structure, where he employs extensive textile imagery. Meanwhile, clothing imagery takes center stage in Statius' epic poem, where recurrent cloaks activate a multilayered poetic memory.

By delving into these topics, this study sheds light on the intricate relationship between textile imagery, literature, and the broader cultural and philosophical contexts of ancient societies. It contributes to our understanding of the literary and symbolic power of textiles and clothing, offering valuable insights into the rich tapestry of classical literature and its enduring relevance.

Weight: 1016g
Dimension: 188 x 247 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259865