feminalia

• bandages for the upper part of the thighs, thigh-bandages, Suet. Aug. 82; cf.: hoc genus vestimenti Graece περισκελή, a nostris feminalia vel bracae usque ad genua pertinentes, Hier. Ep. 64, 10; Vulg. Ex. 28, 42 al.

FEMINA´LIAwere worn in winter by Augustus Caesar, who was very susceptible of cold. (Sueton. Aug. 82.) Casaubon supposes them to have been bands or fillets [FASCIA] wound about the thighs; they are more probably to be identified with the BRACAEThese are mentioned under the name περιμηρίδια as worn by the Roman horsemen (Arrian, Tact. p. 14, ed. Blancard); and the Column of Trajan, the arches of Severus and Constantine, and other monuments of imperial times, present numerous examples of both horse and foot soldiers who wear breeches, closely fitted to the body, and never reaching much below the knees. (See cuts under ABOLLAand ARAp. 158 a.)

A garment worn in winter by Augustus Caesar, who was very susceptible to cold (Suet. Aug. 82). Casaubon supposes them to have been bands or fillets (see fascia) wound about the thighs; they are more probably to be identified with the bracae, and may be best translated “drawers.” These are mentioned under the name περιμηρίδια as worn by the Roman horsemen (Arrian, Tact.p. 14, ed. Blancard).