Focale

The focale (plural "focalia"), also known as a sudarium ("sweat cloth"), was a woolen or linen scarf worn by ancient Roman military personnel. It protected the neck from chafing by the armor. The "focale" is depicted widely in military scenes from Roman art, such as the relief sculpture on the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum and Trajan's Column. It is shown loosely knotted in the front, but is sometimes visible with the ends tucked inside the cuirass.
In Latin literature, "focale" is a general word for a scarf or wrapping for the throat. A "focale" was one of the gifts that might be given for the December festival of Saturnalia, according to Martial. In one of his satires, Horace lists "focalia" among the "badges of illness" "(insignia morbi)". In describing the correct attire for public speaking, Quintilian advises against wearing a "focale", unless required by poor health.
Although a "sudarium" often is used as a handkerchief, it can be worn like the "focale" as a neckerchief. When Suetonius describes the overly casual attire of Nero, the emperor is barefoot, unbelted, and dressed in evening wear "(synthesis)", with a "sudarium" around his neck. In late antiquity, "orarium" (Greek "orarion") might be synonymous with "focale", as in the description of military attire in the "Vision of Dorotheus", and in a papyrus (dated 350–450 AD) listing military clothes.
The "focale" is sometimes seen as one of the precursors of the necktie. Cesare Vecellio (1530–1606) mentions the "focale", calling it a "cravata" (cravat), as worn by Roman soldiers in his book on the history of fashion. It has been compared to the "amice" "(amictus)" worn by Roman Catholic priests, which is depicted from the 6th century onward, as in the Ravenna mosaics.