Perfumes History
Perfumes have always fascinated, being considered not only a necessary luxury, but a symbol of civilization, the art whose masters were respected and almost feared being seen as holders of the ancient mysteries of the gods, then in the Middle Ages, becoming not only perfumer, but alchemists and magic. Modern and contemporary era converts the perfumer in very specialized search and "hunted" by the major producing house, a true professional trained very hard and kept in a world where competition is particularly strong.
Fascinating history of perfume began, according to researchers, since prehistory. They found enough evidence to support this theory, traces of oil from the ship that contained aromatic essences extracted from plants and flowers, so I can say that the history of perfumery is as old as that of humanity.
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Mesopotamia
Mesopotamian culture ever since, fragrances, oils, essences began to be used by most as a symbol of feasts, but also of pure pleasure. The rich "library" of Sumerians left researchers decipher and a large number of recipes for getting oils and perfumes, other reports reporting role of these notes in ceremonies, but in everyday life. Fragrance had to be used daily, becoming a symbol for rival civilizations of Mesopotamia growth and evolution, and there seem real masters who sold their creations to rate as pleasant smelling.
Egypt
Later, art and perfumes would be sent to Egypt, the first historical testimonies dating from around 100 IdHr. Essences and perfumes were used here mainly on religious rituals and funeral ceremonies. When later the glass was invented in Egypt, was to be used for establishment of the first containers for perfumes. This fashion was then "exported" in Greece, where the variety of containers, terracotta and glass, grew rapidly, as perfume charm conquer new civilizations. The ancient Egyptians developed one of the most impressive cosmetic industries in those days, and perfumes were a key.
Masters of these arts were temple priests, who had laboratories installed there, where people could buy perfumes, oils and essences. Many brought them as gods; others used them for their pleasure or gave them as gifts or payment.
Greece
A major role in history was played by Greece perfumes, where ideals of beauty, harmony, proportion and balance had a fundamental role not only in art but in everyday life. As such was not a surprise to anyone that perfumes and oils to be a favorite of the divine attributes, such as those that emphasize natural beauty. According to Homer, even Olympus gods taught people the secrets of manufacture and use of perfumes and numerous scenes of Greek mythology perfumes, flavorings, and essences are present or created by goddesses, nymphs and other characters.
According to these legends, was initially rose and white flower without perfume, before Venus to sting into a spin, giving it the color of blood goddess. Cupid, fascinated by the beauty of the new flowers, kissed her, giving her perfume it is today. But beyond the mythology in Greece has developed a true fast industry, especially in Crete and in the colonies, but also in other Mediterranean cities, beginning perfumers are coming from around the world. Many were well known and appreciated, especially those who invented new recipes for perfumes.
Rome
From Greece, as a natural evolution, the perfumes have arrived in Rome during the Republic. They say that first shave and perfumer arrived in Rome comes from a Greek colony in southern Italy. At first Rome was far from the later brilliance, being a poor and defenseless settlement, inhabited by herders and farmers over who had the same time to fend off repeated attacks by tribes and neighbors. Only later military victories especially surprising relationship with the Etruscans and the Greeks will radically change the life of the Romans, who gave birth to one of the great empires of the world, which dominates half the known world. And Perfumes could not miss, and gradually it "fashion" has expanded to the borders of the empire, greatly increasing consumption while perfumers barely handle the demand.
If past perfumes and other cosmetics were reserved for nobles, then the price will drop so much that they become accessible to virtually everyone. But shortly perfumes began to be used not only for personal use, but in ceremonies, to freshen the air in palaces, theaters, were added just for perfuming wines and even animals. Religious ceremonies were using impressive number and variety of perfumes.
Byzantine
Byzantine Empire to the east was the great successor of glorious Rome, but among others took the glorious fashion and Perfume Empire.
But instead of simply use the spices and flavorings, Islam has turned this into an art impressive fashion and then in an industry that surpassed everything that had done before. With easier and cheaper access to raw materials needed, including rare flowers and spices, and a specialized workforce, with many perfumers who quickly learned the secrets of this art, the Islamic world has proved a formidable producer. Soon, people no longer spoke of flavors and aromas created the Roman Empire, but the spells of Arab perfumes.
Even today the old forests and gardens were left just desserts scary, then spices and plants various Arab lands makes a land of fragrance. From here caravans leading perfume, oils, rose water, spices and seasonings expensive around the Mediterranean, and never go to stay as many camels loaded with goods.
Arabs know how to emphasize the experience of ancestors and created many recipes that have survived for centuries, and new techniques for extracting the precious flavors. It seems to have been the first to combine old and new fragrances with alcohol, are those who created the scent of rosewater and musk, giving the whole world a new era in the history of perfume.
Renaissance
And would continue its history during the Renaissance, when Venice and Florence, cultural centers, leading military and economic, have become the new capital of the perfume industry. Old formulas and recipes, gathered from around the world or reinvented and improved fashion perfume was made as it happened in Europe. . Nobles then, that the past could not imagine life without their delicate flavors, and those of the Medici family were famous for it. When Catherine de Medici, who had a real perfume obsession, went to France to marry Henry II; few expected that a marriage of convenience to open a new page in the evolution of perfume. Among those accompanying was include a famous perfumer, remained in the history named Renato of Florence, which opened its first store in Paris. Even if they say he was understood as both- the manufacture of perfumes and poisons-He has been successful and admired, and France gave rise to several generations of elite perfumer.
France
Becoming a new realm of perfume, France had just started small perfumer's laboratory in Paris and other places where the masters of this art had already a list of clients, each with its preferences. Every nobleman or merchant wanted a different type of perfume, and have reached perfumers true preferences catalogs. Increasingly, fashion has expanded the use of perfume and French kings, especially Louis XIV and Louis XV today include among the "greedy" consumers of perfume.
What is less known is that fragrances used in abundance failed only mask the chronic lack of noble’s hygiene; in a time when it was believed that frequent baths bring plague and other diseases.
This "golden age" of perfumes have to end with the French Revolution, when this important market was virtually paralyze Considered a fad of the nobles, many of whom had reached under the edge guillotine, perfumes were virtually banned but soon things return to normal.
With accession to the throne of Napoleon, a passionate lover of flavors and fragrances began a new chapter in the history of French perfumer. Soon they had to move from the status of small manufacturers to real industrialists, putting up an impressive industry, which over time was noted with great dynamics.
Today the perfume industry is one of the most powerful, constantly evolving, with a strong and harsh competition among manufacturers, with an ever-growing market and new and invented new formulas every year.