From Greece it is probable that the use of the Parasol passed to Rome, where it seems to have been commonly used by women, while it was the custom even for effeminate men to defend themselves from the heat by means of the _Umbraculum_, formed of skin or leather, and capable of being lowered at will. We find frequent reference to the Umbrella in the Roman Classics, and it appears that it was, not unlikely, a post of honour among maid-servants to bear it over their mistresses. Allusions to it are tolerably frequent in the poets. Virgil's "Munimen ad imbres" [Footnote: "A shelter for the shower."] probably has nothing to do with Umbrellas, but more definite mention of them is not wanting. Ovid speaks of Hercules carrying the Parasol of Omphale:-- "Aurea pellebant rapidos umbracula soles, Quæ tamen Herculeæ sustinuere manus." --_Ov. Fast._, lib. ii., 1. 31 I. [Footnote: "A golden umbrella warded off the keen sun, which even the hands of Hercules have borne."] Martial speaks of a servant carrying the Parasol:-- "Umbellam lusca, Lygde feras Dominæ." --_Mart._, lib. xi., ch. 73. [Footnote: "Mayst thou, Lygde, be parasol-carrier for a publind mistress."] Juvenal mentions an Umbrella as a present:-- "En cui tu viridem umbellam cui succina mittas" --_Juv._, ix., 50. [Footnote: "See to whom it is sent a green umbrella and amber ornaments"] Ovid advises a lover to make himself agreeable by holding his mistress's Parasol:-- "Ipse tene distenta suis umbracula virgis" _Ov. Ars._ Am., ii., 209. [Footnote: "Yourself hold up the umbrella spread out by its rods"] This shows that the Umbrella was of much the same construction as ours. A very common use for it was in the theatre, whenever, from wind or other cause, the _velarium_ or huge awning stretched over the building (always open to the air) could not be put up:-- "Accipe quæ nimios vincant umbracula soles, Sit licet, et ventus, te tua vela tegont." --_Mart.,_ lib. xiv., Ep. 28. [Footnote: "Take this, which may shield you from the sun's excessive rays. So may your own sail shield you, even should the breeze blow."] By _tua vela_ is to be understood "your own Umbrella." And elsewhere the same writer gives the advice:-- "Ingrediare viam coelo licet usque sereno Ad subitas nunquam scortea desit aquas." --Man'., lib. xiv. Ep. 130. [Footnote: "Though with a bright sky you begin your journey, let this cloak ever be at hand in case of unexpected showers."]