Continuing with the chronology of fragrance history, after Egypt, Greece and Rome, the next and fundamental step within the evolution of fragrance is the Ancient East.
To better understand this stage, we must first go back to the 5th century, more specifically to the Byzantine Empire, closely linked to Rome. Likewise, the surprising union of many nomadic peoples gave rise to Persia (modern Iran) and the Middle East became one of the areas most connected to the history of fragrance.
Fragrances in the Ancient East
Persia and the Middle East
Persia was located in the middle of a trade route through which essences and cosmetics were transported, constituting a very important part of the economy of the Ancient Persian Empire.
Persian tea roses, myrrh, cedarwood, incense… From that ancient route they have reached us and persist in many current aromas and fragrances.
| Historical Ingredient | Origin / Use in Persia |
|---|---|
| Tea Roses | Intensively cultivated for oil extraction. |
| Myrrh and Incense | Fundamental resinous bases in trade routes. |
| Cedarwood | Used for its durability and aromatic depth. |
In Europe the use of fragrances declined after the fall of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity, which preached austerity. So fragrances became a symbol of wealth.
The Byzantine Empire
At the same time, in the East, with the rise of the Byzantine Empire and the spread of Islam, fragrances continued their expansion and Byzantium made this industry much larger than that of the Roman Empire, since in addition to easy access to raw materials, new aromas emerged from grey amber, rose water, or musk.
Distillation with alcohol was perfected — the basis of modern perfumery. The Arabs spread this technique throughout Europe via Spain.
In China, there was also a strong devotion to aromas, and they cultivated large harvests of flowers dedicated to pressing petals to create fragrances.
Types of aromas that triumphed in the Ancient East
Fragrances of the Ancient East are characterised by presenting spicy, sweet, floral aromas. These are some of the most popular:
- Spicy: these aromas stand out for their intensity. They come from ingredients like cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg.
- Floral oriental: belong to the aromatic floral family. They are made with flowers like gardenia, carnation, or tuberose.
- Woody notes: made from aromatic woods like sandalwood, cedar, or vetiver.
- Sweet oriental or gourmand: irresistible scents achieved by blending essential oils with cocoa, honey, vanilla…
divain fragrances inspired by the Ancient East
Our oriental fragrances capture the richness of the ancient spice routes. Discover fragrances with oud, amber, spices and resins that transport you to the markets and palaces of ancient Persia and Byzantium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of fragrance in the Ancient East?
Fragrance in the East has its fundamental roots in Persia and the Byzantine Empire around the 5th century. Persia became a key trade hub for essences like myrrh and incense, while Byzantium and the Arabs perfected distillation techniques and the use of animal ingredients like musk.
What role did the Arabs play in the history of fragrance?
The Arabs were essential in perfecting alcohol distillation and the use of the alembic. This technique allowed the creation of more refined and long-lasting fragrances, knowledge they spread throughout Europe via Spain.
What ingredients were common in ancient oriental perfumery?
Resins such as myrrh and incense, flowers like tea roses and spikenard, as well as woods like cedar and sandalwood. They also successfully introduced powerful ingredients like ambergris and musk.
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