Weavery

Weaving is one of the oldest attested crafts in the world and, by antiquity, had permeated every level of society. In its most basic form, slaves and children manufactured cheap, functional cloth, but at the highest level it was practiced by noblewomen who produced rich tapestries and fabrics as a conspicuous display of wealth. The importance of weaving makes it one of the few crafts to hold a prominent place in the mythological world. Many cultures contain goddesses, like the Greek Fates, who spin and cut the threads of mortal existence, and this idea may have its roots in the tapestry weaver’s ability to make a scene come to life at the loom.