A himation (/hɪˈmætiˌɒn/ hə-MAT-ee-un,[1] Ancient Greek: ἱμάτιον) was a type of clothing, a mantle or wrap worn by ancient Greek men and women from the Archaic period through the Hellenistic period (c. 750–30 BC).[2] It was usually worn over a chiton and/or peplos, but was made of heavier drape and played the role of a cloak or shawl.[2] When the himation was used alone, without a chiton, it served both as a chiton and as a cloak.[2] The himation was markedly less voluminous than the Roman toga. Many vase paintings depict women wearing a himation as a veil covering their faces.[3]
The himation continued into the Byzantine era as "iconographic dress" used in art and by the lower classes, worn by Christ, the Virgin Mary, and biblical figures.[4]