Definition: The toga praetexta was the curule magistrate's toga, the toga pura with a border added along one edge. The border was about 2-3 inches wide and purple [The World of Roman Costume, by Judith Lynn Sebesta, Larissa Bonfante]. Not only curule magistrates, but also high priests wore the toga praetexta. It is thought that the toga praetexta was an Etruscan custom brought to Rome by Tullus Hostilius.
Originally only patrician, but later freeborn sons of matresfamilias also wore the toga praetexta until puberty. At some point, girls wore the toga praetextaa, as well. The boys, but not the girls. also wore a bulla around their necks. Sebesta and Bonifante argue that only the bulla but also the praetexta were thought to confer protection on the young.
Examples:
Priests honored with the toga praetexta:
- Augures ? (they may have worn the trabea
- Decemviri sacris faciundis
- Triumviri epulones
