I.

HISTORY
References to perfumery materials and even perfume formulas are found in the bible. The Ancient Egyptians learned how to use a still to extract the scent from flower petals, and the natural oils were burned to scent the of temples, private homes, and royal palaces. Babylonian warriors combed perfumed oils into their hair. The Persians developed perfumery to a fine art. The Greeks learned how to make per fumes from the Egyptians and Persians and use scent lavishly on their bodies and in their banquet halls. They even scented their wine with violets and roses. Romans patricians anointed themselves with perfume three times a day. After Rome fall, the art of perfumery was lost in Europe and had to be learned again from the Arabs. The Arabs also acquainted Europe with alcohol, the perfect diluting agent and carrier for scent. In the 1500s France became

the perfume center of Europe. During the Louis XIV, who was known as the perfumed king, perfume reached the height of its popularity. Servants were employed by the place to attend exclusively to the scenting court. A floral pavilion filled with rich scents was constructed; dried flowers were put in strategically placed ornamental bowls. And were sprayed liberally on guest, clothing, furniture, walls, an even dinnerware. Although such extravagance are no longer fashionable, some of the most expensive perfume are still made in France(Comptons Encyclopedia, ). The use of perfume goes for back in time. Some of the first perfumes were fragrant woods and spices that were burned as incense in religious ceremonies. In fact, the word perfume comes from the Latin per(through) and (smoke). Later it was discovered that some perfumes helped to prevent decay. People came to

believe that scent had magical properties. For these reasons perfumes were used in treating the sick and embalming the dead. The people of ancient Egypt used fragrant oils and ointments when bathing. Cleopatra is famous for her use of perfumes. She is said to have perfumed not only herself but also the sails of her boat. Flower perfumes were first used in Greece. Both the Greeks and the Romans used perfume very freely. At that time people probably made their fragrances by dipping flowers and herbs into hot oils or wines. Or they may have spread petals out on tray of fat until the fat absorbed the odor on the petals. The Persians learned to boil off and cooled the fragrance of petals. After 1500 the habit of wearing perfume became especially fashionable in Europe. Men and Women hung from their waists ornamental pomanders (a mixture of fragrant dried leaves, blossoms, and other substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box).Wealthy households contained a room

called a still, where the familys perfumes were made. Italy and France began to grow flowers especially for perfumes (The new book of knowledge, 2006).