The history of perfume. Ancient Rome

Roman road is not very different from ancient. The Romans had copied most Greeks technology manufacturing aromas, and some traditions : perfumes has been actively involved in religious and burial rites, the daily hygiene procedures. But, of course, the Romans made in the art of perfumery and a contribution.

The first, of course, it is worth noting the word perfume, which was formed from two Latin words : "per-through" and "smoke-fumum." As the name implies, the main purpose of the fragrant substance usage space.

As in ancient Greece, Rome incense received from tree resin, and then mixed with oils, which caused the body or okurivali their premises. The most popular scents are moribund, Maria, Sandalwood, Musk combined with cinnamon, ginger, vanilla. Also, cosmetics and perfumes were used olive oil, beeswax, pink water and Tajikistan.

Fans show pervade smelling liquid shelters in amphitheatres to enjoy the smell of the fighting gladiators. At the famous magnificent Pirs Neuron on the margins of the food special silver tube drop splashes succulent, and while dining guests flew over the heads of white doves with fragrant soaked in water wings.

In ancient Rome smells weight attached force. One smells curing headaches, insomnia others, the third-anxiety nerves ... In fact, it then emerged aroma, which became so popular among modern people. Interestingly, in ancient Rome profession Perfumer was similar to the career doctor, as well as the manufacture of fragrances was closely linked to the medicine.

Yuri Caesar actively supported "domestic producers" by restricting the use of exotic perfume ingredients brought from distant countries. Nevertheless, soap raw materials still privozilos : from India, Mesopotamia, Egypt and other countries. Back same route already cooked Roman incense. In the end perfumes ancient Rome reached the same India, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula ...

But one of the most significant achievements was the Romans used to store glass bottles of spirits. Glass Machinery cabbage they had copied Syrians. Bottles have diverse forms. They were similar to cell, vases, droplets of water, flowers buds ... Some circumstance or made of colored glass.

In 2003, when excavations in Cyprus Pirgos- Mavroraki archaeologists found a set of buildings, which was believed to cosmetics laboratory. It includes a room for the press to olive oil, facilities for processing and refining of copper and five 400 - and 500-litre containers for the storage of oil. At the factory employed dozens of people.

The most interesting, if excavations were discovered remnants of spirits, on which modern scholars and Perfumer to restore ancient odors. Ancient flavor ingredients were different herbs and spices : almonds, coriander, white, conifer resin, orange, but almost no color. Fragrances made by long immersion in water, or components of oil.