_Linen_ awnings first used in the theatre at the dedication of the temple of Jupiter by Catulus 69 B. C. _Cotton_ awnings first used in the theatre by Lentulus Spinther, July 6th, 63 B. C. Linen used to cover the forum and Via Sacra at the gladiatorial show by Julius Caesar 46 B. C. Linen awnings extended over the forum by Marcellus, July 31st 23 B. C. Lucretius apparently refers to the introduction by Lentulus Spinther of the cotton awnings above mentioned (vi. 108.), when he is theorising on the cause of thunder, and compares the clouds spread over the sky to the awnings of calico, which veiled the theatres and sheltered the spectators from the sun: Carbasus ut quondam magnis intenta theatris Dat crepitum, malos inter jactata trabeisque. As flaps the cotton, spread above our heads In the vast theatres from mast to beam. We now find frequent mention of cotton by the poets of the Augustan age and by many subsequent writers. As in the case of silk, these authors introduce cotton, not only historically, but for the purpose of embellishment; and, considering _Carbasus_ as a poetical term, they often by a _catachresis_ employ it where they mean to speak of linen. Also as was before observed in regard to silk (Part I. chapter II.), it may likewise be noticed here, that the wars against Mithridates and the Parthians may have contributed to make the Romans familiar with the use of cotton, although their chief supply of it was more probably through Egypt, than through Persia and Babylonia. Catullus (64.), speaking of the black sail which Ægeus furnished for the ships of his son Theseus, calls it “_Carbasus Ibera_,” “an Iberian sail.” As, on the one hand, he here uses the proper term for cotton, without intending to describe the sail as cotton, so on the other hand he calls the sail Iberian merely because Iberia was a country adjoining Colchis, and from Colchis (as will be shown in Part IV.) the Greeks and Romans obtained a great supply of flax and sail-cloth. Tibullus, or Lygdamus, entreats (iii. 2. 17.), in the contemplation of his death and funeral, that after his bones have been washed, first with wine, and then with milk, they may be dried “carbaseis veils,” with linen napkins. Although he uses the proper term for cotton, he probably did not intend to denote any preference for cotton rather than linen. His bones, after being wiped, were to be deposited in a marble urn. Propertius seems to have aimed at a display of knowledge on these subjects (see Part First, chapter II.); and in the following passage (iv. 3.) he probably used _Carbasa_ in its proper sense, as he is referring to Eastern habits: Raptave odorata carbasa lina duci. Muslins taken among the spoils from a scented general.