MASQUE, or MASK, a cover for the face, contrived with apertures for the eyes and mouth; originally worn chiefly by women of condition, either to preserve their complexion from the weather, or out of modesty to prevent their being known. Poppea, wife of Nero, is said to be the first inventor of the masque; which she did to guard her complexion from the sun and weather, as being the most delicate woman, with regard to her person, that has been known.
Theatrical masques were in common use both among the Greeks and Romans: Suidas and Athenæus ascribe the invention of them to the poet Chœrilus, a contemporary of Thespis: Horace attributes them to Æschylus; but Aristotle informs us, that the real inventor, and consequently the time of their first introduction and use, were unknown. Brantôme observes, that the common use of modern masques was not introduced till towards the end of the sixteenth century.