Perfumery. How did she conquer the world?

The word “perfume” comes from the French “parfumerie”, formed in turn from the Latin” per fumium “— literally translated” through smoke”, that is, Smoking, burning incense. And this is no coincidence, because the history of perfumery stretches back to the times of Ancient Egypt.

Spirits, in the modern sense as they are, certainly did not exist in Ancient Egypt. But, despite this, incense played a huge role in this largest ancient civilization. They were used in religious ceremonies.

The Romans also gave aromas healing properties and used them in medicine. They were the first to use glass vessels for storing balms and perfumes — vials and ampoules.

The fall of the Roman Empire, the invasion of barbarians and endless wars temporarily suspended the development of perfumes in the Western world. In the Arab countries, this art was actively developed. The Arabs traded in flower spices and invented distillation. Continue reading →