Page:The age of Justinian and Theodora (Volume 1).djvu/114

 his jewelled shoes or slippers of a bright scarlet colour, a feature in his apparel which is even more exclusive than his cloak or his crown. The latter symbol of majesty is a broad black hoop expanding towards the top, bordered above and below with a row of pearls, thickly studded with gems all round, and bearing four great pendent pearls which fall in pairs on the nape of the neck. His ample purple robe, which falls to his feet, is fastened by a costly shoulder-clasp of precious stones. Its uniformity is diversified by two squares or tables of cloth of gold embroidered in various colours, which approach from the back and front the division on the right side. Purple hose and a white tunic, sleeved to the wrists and girt with a crimson scarf, complete the civil attire of the Emperor. When sitting in state he usually bears a globe surmounted by a cross in his left hand. His attendant nobles, a new order of patricians who are styled the Fathers of the Emperor, are garbed all in white, but the tables of their gowns are of plain purple, their girdles are

from their dress.]
 * [Footnote: were generally permitted some latitude and not obliged to banish it altogether