An outer garment, strictly worn by females, and thus corresponding to the himation or pallium, the outer garment worn by men. Like all other pieces of cloth used for the Amictus, it was often fastened by means of a brooch. It was, however, frequently worn without a brooch, in the manner represented in the annexed cut. Each of the females in this group wears a tunic falling down to her feet, and over it an ample pepius, which she passes entirely round her body and then throws the loose extremity of it over her left shoulder and behind her back, as is distinctly seen in the sitting figure. Of all the productions of the loom, pepli were those on which the greatest skill and labour were bestowed. so various and tasteful were the subjects which they represented, that poets delighted to describe them. The art of weaving them was entirely oriental; and those of the most splendid dyes and curious workmanship were imported from Tyre and Sidon. They often constituted a very important part of the treasures of a temple, having been presented to the divinity by sppliants and devotees. - Smith, 1873