Perfume Defined The word perfume comes from the Latin per fumum, which means “through smoke”

Perfume Defined To the ancients, burning perfumed substances meant communicating with lost loved ones.

Perfume Defined  Because the first perfumes were aromatics kindled/burned incense to the Gods and Ancestors...

Perfume Defined  Scented smoke was thought by ancient society members to attract good influences

What is Perfume? The Perfume we know and use today, came about in Italy, clear back in Italians discovered and perfected a technique for distilling alcohol.

What is Perfume? Up until then, perfumes were produced with an oil or animal fat base and were used as lotions and pomades..

Today Perfume is… Compared to other varieties of scent, PERFUMES are longer lasting on the skin and are more more expensive because they contain greater percentage of essential oils

Today Perfume is… Eau de Toilette contains less than 5% essential oil Ethyl alcohol Slight Water A mixture of 22% to 33% essential oils

a FASCINATING and unexpected ANCIENT HISTORY

History of Perfume Perfume has been with us for more than 4000 years.

History of Perfume Came about in ancient urban societies that were developed, affluent, and therefore, had leisure time and real desire for luxury.

History of Perfume Three ancient societies will be discussed for advancing perfume/ fragrance…

History of Perfume Near East: Medes/ Persians Egyptians Greeks

Phase #1 Near East is where the perfume story begins. The story of perfume begins 5000 years ago with the birth of urban life in the ancient Near East- Medea and Persia-what we know today as Azerbaijan, Kurdistan and Northwestern Iran.

The Medes and Persians Were always pushing to look for new ways to use fragrance –Incense Connect humans to gods Nourishment of ancestries Cedar fragrance produced by the Mesopotamians from Lebanon was the most prized.

The Medes and Persians MEN were the original users and abusers of these luxuries and indulgences Persian kings and governors used aromatic lotions and scented waters EVERYDAY When the Persian King Dafus III was found in his tent dead after a battle in 331 BC, they discovered a chest in his tent filled with all sorts of scented lotions.

The Medes and Persians –The Persian kings and governors would also paint their faces outrageously for seven-day long festivals, where wines of FIG, ROSE, NARD and absinthe were served. –They also used and abused kohl by painting their faces to such an extend that the Greek historian Stabon said they resembled women. –BUT THIS WAS NOT PERFUME. Basic fragrance only.

The Medes and Persians

PHASE #2: Egyptians

Perfume very important in worship and non-religious life –Developed perfume with resins and chemicals. –Developed pomades.

PHASE #2: Egyptians –Here is where we see women start to wear perfume.

PHASE #2: Egyptians

Perfumes were an integral part of worship. Each day priests would offer: –Resins in the morning –Myrrh in the afternoon –And finally the most sacred and powerful scents in the evening to the gods.

PHASE #2: Egyptians But perfume was wildly enjoyed for non- religious reasons by the Egyptians. –Aristocrats wore them at court.

PHASE #2: Egyptians But perfume was wildly enjoyed for non- religious reasons by the Egyptians. –Aristocrats wore them at court.

PHASE #2: Egyptians –Women preferred perfumed made from flowers for personal uses. –Cleopatra used perfumes and opiates to seduce her many lovers. –Cleopatra is credited with inventing pomades made from bear grease. Legend has is that the banquet hall where she entertained Mark Anthony was often saturated with precious oils.

PHASE #2: Egyptians

Egyptian Perfume Cones Guests at banquets often wore cones of perfumed wax on their heads. The heat in the room would melt the cone and the perfumed wax would run down their heads

Egyptian Perfume Cones

Phase #3: Greeks Greeks were the first to develop floral oils.

Phase #3: Greeks –Like their Persian and Egyptian predecessors, the Greeks became addicts to perfume

Phase #3: Greeks Perfume held a value almost equal to food

Phase #3: Greeks

–Each guest was first required to engage in a ceremony called “the purification of the hands” which was done with perfume

Phase #3: Greeks –Once they sat down at the banquet table and began to eat, a fine spray of costly perfume was showered down upon them

Phase #3: Greeks –At dinner, guests were served MYRRHINE, something the Greeks created.

They had scents for each part of their bodies

Phase #3: Greeks –The Greeks became such addicts to perfume that Solon executed a law prohibiting the sale of them. This was completely abused.

Stars Make Scents for Perfume Market

Celebrity Perfumes = Good Business