Early bureaucrats in ancient Rome and modern Europe literally wore uniforms that paralleled
military dress. After all, the household servants of rulers traditionally wore livery. It indicated that the
wearer was not free but the servant of another. Government administrators are still considered servants
in this sense; they are public servants because they, too, have accepted obligations that mean they
are not completely free. Indeed, until early in the twentieth century many otherwise civilian public
officials in Europe—most notably diplomats—had prescribed uniforms.