DIADEM, in Antiquity, a head-band or fillet, worn by kings as a badge of their royalty. It was made of silk, thread, or wool, and fastened round the temples and forehead, the ends being tied behind, and let fall on the neck. It was usually white and quite plain, though sometimes embroidered with gold, and set with pearls and precious stones. In latter times it came to be twisted round crowns, laurels, &c. and even appears to have been worn on various parts of the body. See CROWN. The word comes from the Latin diadema, identical with the Greek διαδημα, a little band encompassing the head, and derived from the verb διαδω, cingo, I gird.