Antonio Mcgowan
Incense was a staple of Roman polytheism, with the Etruscans, known for their influence on Roman religion, using incense in ritual offerings as early as the 6th century BCE. The Romans used incense in a variety of contexts, from ceremonies and sacrifices to cults of the dead and imperial worship. Frankincense, imported from Arabia, was the most common type of incense used in ancient Rome, with myrrh, cinnamon, and nard also being popular. The use of incense in ancient Rome was so pervasive that it was even discovered in Roman-era burials as far west as Britain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | The Romans used incense in ritual offerings and ceremonies, sacrifices, cults of the dead, and in imperial worship. |
| Incense Type | Frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, nard, and terebinth. |
| Source | The Romans imported incense from Southern Arabia. |
| Etymology | The English word "frankincense" comes from the Old French "franc encense", meaning "noble incense" or "high-quality incense". |
| Spiritual Significance | The fragrance of incense was considered an offering to the Gods. |
| Ritual Item | The acerra (incense box) was a key ritual item for the ancient Romans. |
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What You'll Learn
- Frankincense was the most common type of incense used by the Romans
- Incense was used in Roman polytheism as a spiritual offering to the Gods
- Incense was used in Roman ceremonies and burnt at altars
- Incense was used in Roman cults of the dead and in imperial worship
- Incense was also used in Roman mystery cults borrowed or adapted from the Greeks
Frankincense was the most common type of incense used by the Romans
The use of frankincense in ancient Rome was deeply entrenched in Roman polytheism, with the Etruscans, known for their influence on Roman religion, using incense in ritual offerings as early as the 6th century BCE. Frankincense was burned at altars during ceremonies and sacrifices, as well as in cults of the dead and imperial worship. It was also used in mystery cults borrowed or adapted from the Greeks, such as the cult of Isis.
The Romans traded for frankincense by sea, and it was often mentioned in ancient texts simply as "incense," indicating its prevalence. The discovery of frankincense in Roman-era burials as far west as Britain further highlights its widespread use. Frankincense was also mentioned in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, demonstrating its importance across different cultures and religions.
The decline in the use of frankincense occurred with the rise of Christianity and the banning of Pagan rites in the late 4th century. However, incense continued to be used in Christian rituals, although the trade and use of incense in Europe decreased significantly during this period.
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Incense was used in Roman polytheism as a spiritual offering to the Gods
Incense was an integral part of Roman polytheism, where it was used as a spiritual offering to the Gods. The Etruscans, who had a profound influence on Roman religion, have been using incense since at least the 6th century BCE. The most common types of incense are tree products, particularly the aromatic barks and seeds of certain trees and the oils and resins that can be extracted from them. Frankincense, which was also the most common type of incense used in the ancient Mediterranean, was imported in abundance from the Arabian Peninsula. It was considered a precious substance and was highly valued as a religious offering.
In ancient Rome, incense was burned at altars and during ceremonies. It was also used in sacrifices, in cults of the dead, and in imperial worship. Plutarch tells the story of Alexander the Great, who, as a boy, threw handfuls of frankincense into the fire during a sacrifice. His tutor Leonidas scolded him, saying that until he conquered the land where frankincense came from, he should be more sparing with his offerings. Later, when Alexander conquered Gaza, a major distribution centre of incense, he sent Leonidas a gift of 500 talents' weight of frankincense and a hundred of myrrh, telling him to be more lavish with his offerings to the gods.
Other types of incense used by the Romans included myrrh, cinnamon, nard, and terebinth. Myrrh was mostly used as a spice and a medicinal element, rather than being burned. The philosopher Pythagoras recommended burning frankincense in honour of the Gods instead of performing animal sacrifices due to its high value in Europe.
The use of incense in Roman polytheism declined with the rise of Christianity and the subsequent banning of Pagan rites in the late 4th century. However, incense continued to be used in Christian rituals, although the trade and use of incense in Europe decreased significantly.
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Incense was used in Roman ceremonies and burnt at altars
Incense was an integral part of Roman ceremonies and rituals. The use of incense in Roman polytheism is deeply entrenched, with the Etruscans, known for their influence on Roman religion, using incense since at least the 6th century BCE. The Romans primarily obtained their incense, especially frankincense, from southern Arabia, where it grew naturally. Frankincense was highly valued, and its trade was a significant source of wealth for the Arabs. The Romans also traded for other types of incense, such as myrrh, cinnamon, and nard, which were used in abundance during the imperial age.
The acerra, or incense box, was a crucial ritual item for the ancient Romans. Incense was burned at altars and used in offerings to the gods, with the fragrant smoke believed to be a direct means of communication with the divine. Plutarch recounts a story of Alexander the Great, who, as a boy, was scolded by his tutor Leonidas for throwing large amounts of frankincense into the fire during a sacrifice. Later, after conquering Gaza, a major distribution centre for incense, Alexander sent Leonidas a substantial quantity of frankincense, encouraging him to be more generous in his offerings to the gods.
The burning of incense was a common practice in Roman sacrifices, cults of the dead, imperial worship, and mystery cults borrowed from the Greeks. It was also used in daily rituals to appease the lares, or household gods. The philosopher Pythagoras, who emigrated to Italy around 532 BCE, recommended burning frankincense in honour of the gods instead of animal sacrifice due to its high value. This practice was also observed by Alexander the Great, who burned large quantities of incense on the altar as a grand offering.
The use of incense in Roman times extended beyond religious rituals. Incense was also used in ointments, perfumed unguents, and to spice wine. The discovery of frankincense in Roman-era burials as far west as Britain highlights the pervasive nature of its use in Roman culture. However, with the rise of Christianity and the banning of Pagan rites in the late 4th century, the use of incense in Europe declined significantly.
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Incense was used in Roman cults of the dead and in imperial worship
Incense was a significant aspect of Roman religious practices, including cults dedicated to the dead and imperial worship. Its use in religious rituals was likely influenced by the Greeks, who adopted incense from the Egyptians and the peoples of the Near East.
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Incense was also used in Roman mystery cults borrowed or adapted from the Greeks
Incense was used in the Roman mystery cults, which were borrowed or adapted from the Greeks. Mystery cults were religious schools of the Greco-Roman world, reserved for initiates. They originated in tribal ceremonies and were characterised by their secrecy. The cults offered a more personal and individualistic approach to death and the afterlife, fostering social bonds among participants.
Mystery cults were based on sacred stories, often involving the ritual reenactment of a death-rebirth myth of a particular divinity. The most famous of these was the cult of Dionysus, also known as Bacchus, which involved ecstatic dancing, singing, revelry, and eating raw meat. Other notable mystery cults include the Orphic Mysteries, the Cult of Attis, the Cult of Trophonius, and the Cult of Sabazios.
The use of incense in these cults was significant. Incense was believed to be a means of communication with the gods, with the smoke ascending to heaven. It was also thought to indicate the presence of the divine. Incense was an expensive product, imported from southern Arabia, and was used in various rituals and ceremonies.
The Romans borrowed and adapted these mystery cults, with the cult of Isis, the Egyptian goddess of wisdom and magic, being particularly popular in Rome during the time of Emperor Augustus. The cults of Cybele, the Anatolian "mother goddess", were also present in Rome, although they gained fewer members due to restrictions against castration, a ritual considered necessary for initiation.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is any organic material that releases fragrant smoke when burned or heated. The most common types of incense are tree products, such as aromatic barks, seeds, oils and resins.
The Romans imported incense from Southern Arabia, where it was grown.
The Romans used frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, nard and terebinth.
The Romans would burn incense on charcoal, in burners such as the acerra (incense box).
The Romans used incense in religious rituals, as offerings to the Gods.
