The mitre, worn by high ranking priests, appeared in Rome in the 900s and was found throughout the Christian West about a century later. Before that, it wasn’t used liturgically, but was just an outdoor head covering, a symbol of office. Another hat worn by the Roman pontiff, called a camauro, was recorded as early as the eighth century by Pope Constantine, though possibly earlier. Yet another hat, the papal tiara, was a three level crown symbolising the temporal and ecclesiastical power of the pope, who, at the time was a king along with many other titles. That third level showed he also had absolute power over all other kings and princes. I got thinking about this stuff for a distinctly Earth-bound reason.
© 2024 John Oliver
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