Katrina Rosales
The history of perfume dates back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Cyprus. The English word perfume comes from the Latin per fume, meaning through smoke, and the first recorded perfumer was a woman named Tapputi, whose existence was recorded on a cuneiform tablet from 1200 BCE. The ancient Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture, and with the development of trade routes, raw materials for perfume-making became more accessible, leading to the emergence of perfumes with exotic spices and herbs. The first modern perfume was made in 1370 at the command of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary and was known throughout Europe as Hungary Water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First form of perfume | Incense |
| First liquid perfume | Developed by the ancient Greeks |
| First recorded perfume maker | A woman named Tapputi, according to a cuneiform tablet from Mesopotamia |
| First fragrance labelled a "parfum" extract | Guerlain's Jicky in 1889 |
| First classical cologne | Developed in Cologne, Germany, in the 18th century |
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What You'll Learn
- The first perfumes were incense, made by the Mesopotamians and Egyptians
- The ancient Greeks created the first liquid perfume
- The Persians ruled the perfume trade for hundreds of years and invented non-oil-based perfume
- The term 'perfume' emerged in the late 19th century
- The first fragrance to be labelled a parfum extract was Guerlain's Jicky in 1889
The first perfumes were incense, made by the Mesopotamians and Egyptians
The use of incense as the first form of perfume can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Mesopotamia, the first ancient civilization known to man, was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Mesopotamians were skilled in observing the sky and stars, and they are credited with providing the first form of written history. This ancient civilization was also known for its incense, which they believed brought them closer to their deities. They used resins, woods, fir, and myrtle to create their incense, with Cedar of Lebanon being the most precious.
The Sumerians, a Mesopotamian civilization, played a significant role in popularizing fragrances in Egypt through their trade. In ancient Egypt, perfume held great importance, especially in high society. Egyptian priests, depicted in hieroglyphics, used aromatic resins to sweeten the smell of sacrificial offerings. They believed that burning incense pleased the gods, and it was also used ceremonially. Egyptian mythology even noted the god Nefertem as the lord of perfume, often depicted carrying water lilies, a common ingredient in ancient perfumes.
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to capitalize on the "image in a bottle," with their perfume containers made of stone and alabaster and decorated with creative designs. They also used perfume for its therapeutic benefits and as a symbol of moral purity, especially for those in higher social standing. Important figures in Egyptian history, such as Cleopatra and Queen Hatshepsut, used fragrances extensively and were even buried with scented oils.
The use of incense and perfume in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt laid the foundation for the development of perfumery, with the Egyptians and later civilizations like the Persians, Romans, and Greeks contributing significantly to the evolution of fragrances.
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The ancient Greeks created the first liquid perfume
The ancient Greeks were the first to create liquid perfume. They carefully documented their perfume-making process, allowing us to recreate these perfumes today. The ancient Greeks used various types of oils as the "vehicle" of perfumes. The oils they chose were as odourless as possible to avoid overpowering the natural fragrance of the other raw materials used in the perfume. These oils included Egyptian or Syrian balanos oil, while the most common type of olive oil used was derived from "raw" and "coarse" olives, as it is the least greasy and coarse.
The Greeks played a crucial role in the development of perfumery. They ground aromatic plants and resins and suspended them in oil, creating the first perfumes for wearing on the skin. They also practised a form of aromatherapy, finding certain smells to improve health and vitality. They believed that perfume was a gift from the gods, and many perfumes were named after Greek goddesses. Wearing perfume was thought to be a pleasing act for the gods.
The popularity of wearing a sweet-smelling, indulgent fragrance dates back to the beginning of civilisation. Ancient civilisations often turned fragrant materials into balms to use in religious ceremonies or to anoint their bodies. The ancient Greeks were such great innovators when it came to perfumery that we still use many of the same methods and recipes today. They would often boil flower petals, herbs, and spices, and soak (or "infuse") the material into a "carrier" oil, such as fresh-pressed olive oil. They typically used local flowers and herbs, such as marjoram, parsley, irises, violets, and lilies, and spices like cumin and sage.
Perfume shops opened all over Athens, becoming centres of gossip, scandal, and political intrigue. Both men and women became obsessed with 'the cult of the body'. Women would anoint themselves in their private quarters (known as the 'gynaeceum'), while men did so more publicly, in the public baths, after exercise.
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The Persians ruled the perfume trade for hundreds of years and invented non-oil-based perfume
The first form of perfume was incense, first made by the Mesopotamians about 4000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians were the first to capitalise on the "image in the bottle", using stone and alabaster containers decorated with creative designs. The ancient Greeks can take credit for the first liquid perfume, using various types of oils as the "vehicle" of perfumes.
The Persians' fondness for fragrant products like incense and sweet-smelling flowers made them embrace perfumes. They supported the cultivation of different flora, allowing them to obtain important perfume ingredients like rose water, musk, and ambergris. They also had access to a wide array of spices, resins, herbs, and precious woods through trade.
Persian nobles considered perfume a symbol of wealth and status, and Persian kings often had their own "signature scents" that their companions and relatives were not allowed to use. The modern-day concept of having a signature scent may have originated in Persia.
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The term 'perfume' emerged in the late 19th century
The word "perfume" comes from the Latin phrase "per fumus", which means "through smoke". The French later gave the name "parfum" to the smells produced by burning incense. The first form of perfume was incense, first made by the Mesopotamians about 4,000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians were the first to capitalise on the "image in a bottle", with containers made of stone and alabaster and decorated with creative designs.
The term "perfume" emerged in the late 19th century as changing tastes and the development of modern chemistry laid the foundations of modern perfumery. Alchemy gave way to chemistry, and perfume manufacture in Russia grew after 1861, becoming globally significant by the early 20th century. The first fragrance labelled a "parfum" extract with a high concentration of aromatic compounds was Guerlain's Jicky in 1889.
The ancient Greeks can be credited with the first liquid perfume. They used various types of oils as the "vehicle" of perfumes, and the most common type of olive oil was derived from "raw" and "coarse" olives. The ancient Greeks would also drink perfume as a flavouring for wine. The Romans, Persians, and Arabs also played a role in refining perfume. The development of distillation by the Arabs made perfume manufacture viable, and the world's first recorded chemist is a woman named Tapputi, a perfume maker in Babylonian Mesopotamia around 1200 BCE.
The use of perfume is often associated with mystery, fantasy, and imagination. We wear perfume to please others, to leave a good impression, and to surround ourselves with a pleasing, lingering scent.
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The first fragrance to be labelled a parfum extract was Guerlain's Jicky in 1889
The history of perfume is a long and fascinating one. The first form of perfume was incense, created by the Mesopotamians about 4000 years ago. The ancient Egyptians were the first to capitalise on the "image in a bottle", using stone and alabaster containers decorated with creative designs. The ancient Greeks can be credited with creating the first liquid perfume, using oils as the "vehicle" for perfumes. The ancient Romans and Greeks carefully documented their perfume-making processes, and several Greco-Roman fragrances are being recreated today.
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Frequently asked questions
The first fragrance was incense, first made by the Mesopotamians about 4000 years ago.
The ancient Greeks can take credit for the first liquid perfume.
Early perfume was made using natural materials such as bark, wood, roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. Common ingredients included spices, florals, resins, and oils.
The ancient Greeks used various types of oils as the "vehicle" of perfumes. The oils they chose needed to be as odourless as possible, as pungent oils can overpower other raw materials used in the perfume.
