Stephane (headdress)

For the town of ancient Paphlagonia, see Stephane (Paphlagonia).

A stephane (ancient Greek στέφανος, from στέφω (stéphō, “I encircle”), Lat. Stephanus = wreath, decorative wreath worn on the head; crown) was a decorative headband or circlet made of metal, often seen on depictions of high-status ancient Roman and Greek women,^[1][2][3] as well as goddesses.^[4] The stephane often consisted of a metal arc that was higher in the center than along the sides. It was set atop a woman's hair, with or without a veil.^[1] It resembled a crown.

Bust of an empress, possibly Vibia Sabina, wearing a stephane, c. AD 134–147

Many ancient Greek and Roman coins show a queen's portrait on the obverse, with her wearing a veil with a stephane.

See also

• Clothing in the ancient world
  • Clothing in ancient Greece
• Chiton (costume)
• Exomis
• Himation
• Peplos
• Zoster (costume)