08-04-2016, 06:57 PM
R. Sale, I moved the Greek question to another thread You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. so we can keep talking about the pattern here.
When I reference Athena's dress, I'm not really talking about the actual fabric. This pattern had a symbolic connotation, just like the later Nebuly Line does. It's an aegis, a protective cloak. It can carry the symbolism of (divine) protection. In her post about this, Diane mentions the possible origin of this tradition in the garments worn by emissaries.
All I want to say is: there are other possible interpretations for a wavy line. This does require the assumption that MS Beinecke 408 was copied from significantly older sources though, but that practice was not uncommon in the middle ages.
When I reference Athena's dress, I'm not really talking about the actual fabric. This pattern had a symbolic connotation, just like the later Nebuly Line does. It's an aegis, a protective cloak. It can carry the symbolism of (divine) protection. In her post about this, Diane mentions the possible origin of this tradition in the garments worn by emissaries.
All I want to say is: there are other possible interpretations for a wavy line. This does require the assumption that MS Beinecke 408 was copied from significantly older sources though, but that practice was not uncommon in the middle ages.