Roman Fragrances
As they became the lords of the Mediterranean sea and trading was much diffused all exotic goods from Africa and Asia became available. The Romans did want to enjoy the pleasures originating from all senses. Originally aromas did perform a hygienic function but with the time the use was extended to religious and celebratory occasions. The mirth was somehow connected with the cult of Venus, the ivy to Apollo: the expression of the transformation of the nymph Daphnis escaping from the divine suitor.
Since ancient time shepherds did adorn folds with laurel branches and purify the herd with fire, sulphur and water. They also burnt resins of pine, rosemary and other herbs considered expiatory. During the celebrations
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of the Pales Pales goddess various vegetal essences were ignited while flat bread, sorghum and milk was offered to the goddess in the very bucket in which it was milked.
Garlands were woven with laurel, mirth, ivy, clover and exposed on the altars where odorous substances were burnt to diffuse pleasant odours: this practice was defined as pro fumo tribuere which meant to honour with smoke.
Lares, the home protectors, the Penates, the spirits of ancestors, the Gods in general and even other minor deities were honoured in this way. During triumphs of Caesar, for instance, the priests would walk ahead of the Victor carrying the odorous smoking jars.
Aloe vera has been described in ancient documents as a plant with beneficial properties and known for centuries as a medicinal plant. Also lavender was one of the main herb to be infused, jointly with others, into bathing water.n temples to replace incense to
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decorate Lares and generally in celebrations as a purifying mean. It had a therapeutic use in ointments as often mentioned in Latin literature. Sage etymology from Latin is health. It has always been considered as a plant with remedial properties as the old Latin byword: why should a man die when sage grows abundantly in his garden? Mint comes from the name of the mythological nymph. Ovidius in his legend wrote that Myntha, daughter of the infernal river Cocytus and much loved by Pluto, was transformed into a plant by the very jealous Proserpina. Origanum, meaning beautiful mountain, has a penetrating odour and used as a remedy to disinfect homes during plagues. It was burnt in braziers jointly with thyme and mint.
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