From Greece it is probable that the use of the parasol passed to Rome, where it seems to have been usually 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. There are frequent references 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. (Ovid Fast. lib. ii., 1. 31 I.; Martial, lib. xi., Ch. 73.; lib. xiv, Ch. 28, 130; Ovid Ars. Am., ii., 209). From such mentions the umbrella seems to have been employed as a defense from sun, but references to its use as a protection against rain, while rare, also exist (Juvenal, ix., 50.).
from greece it is probable that the use of the parasol passed to rome where it seems to have been usually 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 there are frequent references 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 (ovid fast lib ii 1 31 i; martial lib xi ch 73; lib xiv ch 28 130; ovid ars am ii 209) from such mentions the umbrella seems to have been employed as a defense from sun but references to its use as a protection against rain while rare also exist (juvenal ix 50)