Final answer:
Stephen's commentary indicates that historical figures used clothing to represent their authority and status. Expensive and elaborate attire, such as that donned by emperors or figures of high rank, aimed to convey power and divine authority. This discussion underscores the broader theme of how clothing reflects both personal choices and social expectations throughout history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stephen's dialogue suggests that clothing plays an important role in how people present themselves and symbolize their status or authority. In historical contexts, important figures often wore specific garments to depict their power or position. For example, the reference to Maximian with a 'beautiful jeweled cross' and wearing 'the same purple that the emperor wears' implies a close association with the emperor's power. Likewise, descriptions of elaborate clothing with prestigious jewels such as 'rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and very large pearls,' accompanied by a halo, connect the wearer to a divine origin of authority.
The mention of the toga in Tertullian's work underscores how clothing also reflects social norms and practices. In his discourse, he contrasts the oppressive feeling of wearing a toga with the convenience and freedom of the pallium, highlighting the influence of attire on personal comfort and societal expectations. Thus, what one wears can be both a personal choice and a reflection of their occupational, cultural, or societal roles, and the clothing choices of historical figures often signified their social or political stature.