Perizoma (loincloth)

Perizoma (from Greek περίζωμα, from peri "around, about" and zoma "loin-cloth, drawers, band, belt") is a type of loincloth that originated with the Minoan civilization in Crete. Surviving depictions show it being worn by male and female acrobats (for example, in the Bull-Leaping Fresco).^[1]^[2]

A perizoma was possibly worn by Jesus during his crucifixion. It is a standard feature of the crucifixion in the arts. However, the Roman custom was to crucify victims naked, and there is no evidence to suggest that Jesus was an exception.^[3] Perizoma was likely added by later artists to preserve modesty (see fig leaf) and first appeared in the 8th century.^[4] Aachen Cathedral claims to have the actual relic of the perizoma, preserved inside the Marienschrein reliquary.^[5]

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