By the sixth century of the common era the Roman Empire already had many
hundreds of years of accumulated ceremony embedded in its government,
and practical science embodied in its army.
The transition from Republic to Imperium and the more hierarchical
structure that entailed, and the absorption of Christianity into state
processes, had pushed the development of court ceremonial apace, and
particularly driven its embodiment and display in ever more opulent
regalia. The regalia embraced not only garments of distinctive form and
decoration, but also both dress and non-dress accessories. It was
crucial in displaying rank and function on an everyday basis, yet was
also varied considerably for special occasions. Military dress largely
reflected forms current amongst ordinary men, but with an emphasis on
functionality, eschewing the excesses of fashion.
Detailed literary and artistic sources, archaeology and insights derived
from reconstruction and practical experience has gone into creating an
incredibly lavish picture of the clothing of the longest-enduring
political entity in history.