UMBRĀCŬLUM

UMBELLA ( σκιάδειον , σκιάδιον , σκιαδίσκη ), a parasol, was used by Greek and Roman ladies as a protection against the sun. They seem not to have been carried generally by the ladies themselves, but by female slaves, who held them over their mistre es. The daughters of the aliens ( μέτοικοι ) at Athens had to carry parasols after the A then i an maidens at the Pan a the nae a, as is mentioned under Hydria pho ria . The parasols of the ancients seem to have been exactly like our own parasols or umbrellas in form, and could be shut up and opened like ours. It was considered a mark of effeminacy for men to make use of parasols. The Roman ladies used them in the amphitheatre to defend themselves from the sun or some pa ing shower, when the wind or other circumstances did not allow the velarium to be extended. [ A mph i the at rum . ] To hold a parasol over a lady was one of the common attentions of lovers, and it seems to have been very common to give parasols as presents. Instead of parasols, the Greek women in later times wore a kind of straw hat or bonnet, called tholi a ( θολία ). The Romans also wore a hat with a broad brim ( petasus ) as a protection against the sun. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill405.jpg: Umbraculum, Parasol. (From an ancient Vase.)