The perfumes industry in Greco-Roman Egypt (323 BC - 641 AD)

Abstract

Ancient Egypt is well known for its exotic and luxurious perfumes and oils. There were specialized cities in producing perfumes in the Ptolemaic period like Alexandria and Mendes. These scented preparations were exported to the Mediterranean region. They were manufactured from aromatic fats, oils and plants. The Greek historians such as Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder and Galen informed us about the aromatic ingredients, types of perfumes and production methods. Most of the perfume formulas are inscribed in hieroglyphs on the walls of laboratories of the Greco-Roman temples in Egypt. There are many offering scenes accompanying these formulas, including perfumes and oils presented to several deities. The produced perfumes and oils were preserved inside these laboratories for being used later in several occasions. Aromatic oils were believed to give the deceased the physical and the spiritual powers of resurrection in the afterlife after being anointed with them. They were available to all classes of the Ancient Egyptian society, whether royal, noble or common. Perfumes, oils and incense were used in various forms in banquets, festivals and ceremonies in addition to being used in other fields like: Cosmetic, domestic, funerary, medical, religious and therapeutic. They were offered to deities along with fragrant flowers like blue lotus and lily. Moreover, perfumed oils were used in anointing the cult statues of gods as well as other cult objects.