Explore the surprising origins of the red carpet, tracing its journey from a symbol of death in Ancient Greece to its modern-day association with fame and fortune in Hollywood.
The red carpet , a symbol of glamour and wealth, has a surprising and darker history rooted in Ancient Greece. While today it's synonymous with Hollywood premieres and award ceremonies, its origins lie in a tale of betrayal and murder. In 457BC, playwright Aeschylus penned the first recorded mention of the red carpet in his play Agamemnon . The play describes a 'floor of crimson broideries' laid out for the returning King Agamemnon after his long campaign in the Trojan War.
Unfortunately, Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, had grown resentful during his absence. She had taken a lover, and Agamemnon, upon his return with his own concubine, further fueled her anger. To avenge her humiliation, Clytemnestra lured Agamemnon to his death by rolling out the red carpet. The play's history doesn't specify exactly how Agamemnon was killed, but he met his end either by the hand of his lover or at the hands of his vengeful wife. Interestingly, red in Ancient Greece was associated with Ares, the god of war, and it's believed that only gods deserved the honor of walking on a red carpet. The phrase 'Only the gods deserve the pomp of honor' is attributed to Agamemnon before he tragically stepped onto the crimson path. The red carpet's association with death in this context is chilling. However, its usage evolved over time. In 1821, US President James Monroe walked down a red carpet in Georgetown, South Carolina, marking an early instance of its use outside of Greek tragedy. It wasn't until 1902 that the red carpet gained traction as a symbol of status, guiding first-class passengers onto trains in New York. This usage eventually led to the phrase 'the red carpet treatment,' signifying special and luxurious service.
RED CARPET ANCIENT GREECE AGAMEMNON HISTORY HOLLYWOOD GREEK TRAGEDY JAMES MONROE
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