Fimbriae
（θύσανοι; in grammarians also κροσσοί). Tassels; a fringe. When the weaver had finished any garment on the loom (see Tela), the thrums, i.e. the extremities of the threads of the warp, hung in a row at the bottom. In this state they were frequently left, being considered ornamental. Often also, to prevent them from ravelling, and to give a still more artificial and ornamental appearance, they were separated into bundles, each of which was twisted, and tied in one or more knots. The thrums were thus, by a very simple process, transformed into a row of tassels. The linen shirts found in Egyptian tombs sometimes show this ornament along their lower edge, and illustrate, in a very interesting manner, the description of these garments by Herodotus (ii. 81). Among the Greeks and Romans fringes were seldom worn except by women (Pollux, vii. 64). We find, however, a long-sleeved tunic with fimbriae at the wrists, worn by Iulius Caesar (Iul. 45; cf. Clavus Latus). Of the manner of displaying them the best idea may be formed by an inspection of the annexed illustration, taken from a small bronze, representing a Roman lady who wears an inner and an outer tunic, the latter being fringed, and over these a large shawl or pallium. |
| Fimbriae. (From an ancient bronze.) |
Among barbarous nations the upper garment was often worn with a fringe by men.