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 Perfume
has always played a part in Greek mythology. Let us remember
the Elysian Fields fashioned of millions of flowers developing
various types of delightful fragrances, or Aphrodite the goddess
of beauty that was supposed to be the first perfume user.
They were also certain that Circe held fast to Ulysses by
means of perfumes that were filled with magic. It was in the
fourth century BC that the conquest of Alexander the Great
first brought perfume to Greece.
Like their Egyptian and Persian predecessors,
the Greeks became addicts to culture and perfume. In the days
of true Greek luxury, perfume held a value almost equal to
that of food. In the description of one famous banquet (by
Dr. Mary Lynne in "The Ancient Art of Perfume Making")
we are told each guest was first required to engage in a ceremony
called "the purification of hands," which was done
with perfume. Each guest was presented with a small gold or
alabaster container of sweet odors.
As they ate, a fine spray of costly
perfume was showered down upon them. There were also beautiful
white doves, with wings heavily saturated with rare perfumes
constantly flying above the heads of guests, causing the perfume
to fall gently as they fluttered their wings. It was for this
particular reason that at this banquet something never before
heard was brought forth: Myrrhinne, which was a combination
of myrrh, honey, sweet smelling flowers and wine, which they
drank! This gives us an idea of how completely addicted the
Greeks became to perfume. Unfortunately, they carried the
use of perfume to extremes.
They had scents for each portion of
the body. Scents were designed and used to clear the befuddled
minds. Perfumes were designed to cure every known illness
of the day and , of course, scents that were guaranteed to
win love at any cost. The Greeks became such addicts to perfume
that Solon executed a law prohibiting the sale of them. This
could have been disastrous but the edict was so unpopular
it was openly and glaringly violated constantly. Homer frequently
mentions perfumes in both the "Illiad" and the "Odyssey."
Theophrastus was, no doubt, the earliest Greek writer on the
subject of perfumery. Born in 370 BC, he was known for his
outstanding work in botany. From him we learn that particular
oils of his time were obtained from flowers. This was the
first appearance of floral oils in the known history of perfume.
The Greeks enjoyed perfume to the fullest.
Even the deceased of that time period were provided with perfumes
in their passing. A flask of their favorite scent was always
placed in the coffin. For those too poor to afford this luxury,
a picture was painted on the casket of a perfume container.
The Greeks of ancient times raised perfume to their high level
by accepting it as on of the arts of culture and dignity.
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