Historical story

The Perfumes of the Greeks according to Theophrastus

Ancient Greek woman with an incense. Theophrastus gives us information on perfumes in Greece

The book “ On smells "By the Greek philosopher and botanist Theophrastus (4th-3rd century BC), is a valuable source of information and curiosities about the world of perfumes in Ancient Greece.

From it we learn, among other things, how much essences and perfumes were held in great consideration at the time, both because they were used during the celebration of cults, and for the care and beauty of the body, of which they were an important and indispensable complement. .

The Greeks, especially those who belonged to the wealthiest classes, paid great attention to physical appearance and personal hygiene, a habit that was later adopted by the Latins as well.

That embryonic distillation system already tested in Egypt , was perfected by the most expert perfumers of Ancient Greece, capable of designing and giving shape to perfumes that we could define as "modern".

The most popular fragrances, Theophrastus always mentions, were incense, myrrh, nard, cardamom, marjoram, laurel, iris and cassia, herbs and natural extracts from which enchanting fragrances were born.