E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Caracal’la [long-mantle].
Aure’lius Antoni’nus was so called because he adopted the Gaulish caracalla in preference to the Roman toga. It was a large, close-fitting, hooded mantle, reaching to the heels, and slit up before and behind to the waist. Aure’lius was himself born in Gaul, called Caracal in Ossian. (See CURTMANTLE.)
