Zona
（
ζώνη).
1.
A flat and rather broad girdle worn by young unmarried women (
ζώνη
παρθενική) around their hips (
Homer Od.
v. 231;
Ov. Fast. ii. 231),
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Flora, showing Zona. (National Museum, Naples.)
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as exemplified in the accompanying illustration; whereas the common girdle (
cingulum) was placed immediately under the bosom. The zone was not laid
aside until after the wedding, when the bridegroom had unfastened it with his own hands;
whence the expression
zonam solvere (
Catull. ii.
13; Ovid,
Her. ii. 115) means “to enter the married
state.”
2.
A broad belt worn by men round their loins (
Hom.
Il. xi. 234; Plaut.
Merc. v. 2, 84), and made double or
hollow like our shot-belts, for the purpose of carrying money deposited in it about the
person (C. Gracch.
ap.
Gell. xv. 12;
Suet. Vit.
16); whence the expression
zonam perdere (
Plin. Ep. ii. 2, 40) means
“to lose one's money.”
3.
The Greek writers also use the term for a soldier's belt, worn round the loins, to cover
the juncture of the cuirass and the kilt of leather straps. See
Thorax.
