Carbasina, molochina, ampelina[1].
As these words are all three Greek, and the play, in which the
verse occurred, was also called by a Greek name, we cannot
doubt, that Statius translated it according to his usual custom
from one of the writers of the New Comedy. We may therefore
infer with some confidence from this expression, that the
Greeks made use of muslins or calicoes, or at least of cotton
cloths of some kind, which were brought from India as early
as 200 years B. C.
After some time the oriental custom of using cotton as a protection from the sun's rays was adopted also by the Romans. Cotton was not only a cheaper and commoner article than silk, but it was particularly adapted for this purpose on account of its lightness, as well as its beauty and fineness; and, besides the instance already cited from the book of Esther, we may observe also, that where the Latin authors mention the use of "Carbasa," it is sometimes for purposes of this kind. "Tabernacula carbaseis intenta velis," i. e. "Tents with coverings of cotton," were among the expensive novelties which contributed to the luxury of Verres, when Prætor in Sicily[2]. The same species of ornament was first displayed at Rome in the magnificent ædileship of P. Lentulus Spinther, at the Apollinarian games and in the year 63 B. C.
"At a later period awnings of linen were used to keep out the sun, but originally
in the theatres only, which contrivance was first adopted by Q. Catulus, when
he dedicated the capitol. After this Lentulus Spinther is said to have first introduced
cotton awnings in the theatre at the Apollinarian games. By and by
Cæsar the Dictator covered with awnings the whole Roman forum, and the sacred
way, from his own house even to the ascent of the Capitoline hill, which is said
to have appeared more wonderful than the gladiatorial exhibition itself. Afterwards,
without exhibiting games, Marcellus the son of Octavia, sister of Augustus,
when he was Ædile and his uncle consul the eleventh time[3], on the day before*
- ↑ See C. C. Statii Fragmenta, a Leonhardo Spengel, Monachii 1829, p. 35. Statius chiefly copied from Menander (Gellius ii. c. 16.); but we cannot find, that Menander wrote any play called Pausimachus.
- ↑ This was about the year 70 B. C. Cic. in Verrem, Act. ii. 1. v. c. 12.
- ↑ The following are the dates of the display of awnings on the several occasions referred to:—
