Underneath the Toga pt 2 (With Naomi Alderman)

Women wearing togas in Ancient Rome functioned as a complex, often misunderstood symbol rather than a standardized punishment for adultery. Research by novelist and classicist Naomi Alderman reveals that historical evidence for forced togas among adulteresses is negligible, likely stemming from misinterpretations of late marginalia. Instead, the toga served as a potent, sexually charged garment, potentially utilized by sex workers to play with symbols of elite male power. This exploration highlights the necessity of questioning historical sources and recognizing the vast, diverse possibilities of human existence. By applying a novelist’s imaginative lens to the gaps in the archaeological record, this analysis underscores how studying the ancient world provides essential tools for defamiliarization, allowing for a deeper understanding of how evolving technologies and societal structures continuously reshape the human experience.