History of Menswear: Table of Contents

China
The Uighurs	Xinjiang, the Uighurs & Turkic Fashion
Guizhou Minorities	Guizhou Minorities in the 80's Miao Zhuang Yao Dong Yi
Han China	Han Fashion Before Mao From Ming to Qing Yuan & the Mongols
Empires of the Mediterranean
Aragon & Catalonia	Catalan Designer Georgina Vendrell
Byzantium	Roman Blockbusters, Byzantium & Barbarians
Carthage	Cartharge, of Phoenicians and Punics
Greece & Magna Graecia	Grottoes, Grapes & Greeks
Normandy	Naples, Normans & Nabbings
Nuraghic Civilization	Nuraghic Men Rocked the Styles! Book Review I: "The People of Bronze" Book Review II: "The People of Bronze" Book Review III: "The People of Bronze" The Nuraghic “People of Bronze” Come Back to Life
Ottoman Empire	Turkish Men's Fashion: A Glance in History B-Turk: Relics of the Ottomans on Tees
Phoenicia	Phoenicians: the People of Purple
Roman Empire	Roman Blockbusters, Byzantium & Barbarians
Saracens & Barbary Pirates	Saracens, Corsairs & Barbary Pirates
Islands of the Mediterranean
Intro	The Mediterranean Isles of Italy
Mallorca	The New Skins of Gori De Palma
Crete	Dimitri Stavrou’s Stylish Ride from Cyprus to London
Ischia & the Bay of Naples	Ischia: Roots on a Rim Grottoes, Grapes & Greeks Roman Blockbusters, Byzantium & Barbarians Naples, Normans & Nabbings From Feudalism to Family Feuds Of Kings and KUKs Bourbon Anyone? Naples, Nations & New Notions 20th-Century Island Life in the Bay of Naples Popular Island Dress & "L'ndrezzata"
Sardinia	Introduction to Sardinia & Traditional Sardinian Menswear Timeline: Sardinia's History in a Nutshell Bagella: Preserving Traditional Menswear in Sardinia Oristano: Its Musuem & Festivals Bauladu—Country Living in Sardinia Paolo Midolo: the Pride of Orani
North Africa
Nomads	The Tuaregs
Sub-Saharan Africa
West Africa	The Rich World of African Menswear Digging Deeper into West Africa: Yoruba
Religious Movements
The Hutterites	The Hutterites

Cartharge, of Phoenicians and Punics

At the height of power, Carthage dominated up to 300 Phoenician colonies on the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean.

But their first conquest was Sardinia, where they claimed Karalis, today’s Cagliari.

Carthage—the “shining city”situated near modern-day Tunisia—was founded around 814 BC by the Phoenicians who emigrated from Tyre, naming their new home Qart-ḥadašt, which means ‘new city’.

Since the Carthaginians were essentially Phoenicians, the Romans called them Punics—pūnicus, which is merely the Latin name for “Phoenician.” Remember, the Greeks referred to the Phoenicians as phoinikois after the purple dye.

When Phoenicia was conquered by Persia (present-day Iran) in 539 BC, Carthage inherited the entire trade network from Tyre, emerging as the commercial center of the Western Mediterranean. However, as the new leader of the Phoenician colonies around the Mediterranean, Carthage was thrust into conflict, mostly in Sicily, with the Greeks and Romans who were vying for power.

Probably the most notable Carthaginian of all was Hannibal (248–183 BC), one of the greatest military commanders in history who led an army of mercenaries, compatriots, and elephants through Spain and over the Alps against the Romans.

After 668 years of existence, Carthage was brutally destroyed by Rome in the Third Punic War, in 146 BC.

Like Phoenicia, Carthage produced embroidered and dyed garments of linen, cotton, and silk, as well as ceramics and metalwork.

As for menswear, I have uncovered the attire of Punic solders (photo, type left, courtesy of Phoenician expert Salim George Khalaf). They sported long braids that were tied back with a golden ring.

Then, in the Archeological musuem of Cagliari, I made some very interesting discoveries!

First, as the photo to the middle right evidences, Carthaginian men wore a type of tunic with short sleeves that extended to the knees and was tied with a belt.

Secondly, the Punic man on the right side of the vase (bottom left photo) appears to be wearing a sort of long, flowing Roman-like outer garment that draps over the shouler and an ankle-length inner garment.

Photo Carthaginian Copyright Phoenica.org.
Photo middle right, statuettes of Punic men, Museo archedologico nazionale di Cagliari.
Photo bottom left, vase of Punic woman and man, Museo archedologico nazionale di Cagliari.

The Mediterranean Isles of Italy

Most people have heard of Sicily and Capri; and, yet, the Mediterranean waters that surround Italy are graced with a host of captivating islands—both large and small—that go less noticed, but each sharing a common history, culture, language, and cuisine.

One thread that unites the islands and many coastal areas of the Mediterranean is a long history of shared dominations. Moreover, with the changing of each invading conqueror, so changed the styles in menswear over the millennia.

For the next three weeks, we are going to explore the men, the history, and the fashion of several enchanting Mediterranean islands that are situated off the coast of Italy’s mainland! And I am going to take you there!

I like to return to Italy once or twice a year to visit family and friends when I am working abroad. And that is exactly what I have planned for September 2009.

First, I will be taking you to Sardinia, which I prefer to call Sardegna (pronounced Sardenya), where we will explore the natural treasures of the vast island and meet several menswear designers.

After a few shopping days in the bustling city of Naples, where some of my favorite stores and menswear brands are located, I will take you to the islands in the Bay of Naples; namely, Capri, Ischia, and Procida.

Although I do not depart for another week, I will be posting some articles each day on the background of Sardinia, our first stop. (See map.)

So, I want to wish you happy reading and a great virtual trip!

Buon viaggio and buon divertimento! We are going to have lots fun!

Photo top right St. Angelo, Ischia, Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.
Photo bottom left, Capri, Copryright Men's Fashion by Francesco.