An international team of researchers, along with experts from the Association of Aromatic Culture and Tourism (Turkey), which specializes in promoting ancient scents, has recreated the perfume Telinum, famously worn by the dictator Julius Caesar.
According to their studies, ancient Romans preferred perfumes made from simple formulas. Popular ingredients included rose, daffodil, crocus, saffron, and bitter almond. It was not uncommon for the sweat of gladiators to be added to the mix.
However, the fragrance for such a prominent figure as Gaius Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC) undoubtedly had to be extraordinary. Typically, high-ranking leaders, generals, priests, and the wealthy imported perfumes from around the world to smell distinct from their fellow countrymen. Alternatively, they commissioned exclusive scents from the leading perfumers of the time, as reported by Arkeonews.
What Experts Have Reported
A special study dedicated to Caesar’s perfumes was conducted under the guidance of Cenk Atila, an associate professor in the Department of Archaeology at Sivas Cumhuriyet University (Turkey). The researchers were assisted by renowned perfumers from Milan and the famous Turkish fragrance designer Bihter Türkan Ergül.
The researchers examined information from ancient written sources, including testimonies from historians and close friends of Julius Caesar. The result of their extensive and meticulous work was a fragrant product containing notes of mint, rose, lemon, bergamot, lavender, jasmine, water lily, violet, oud, cedar, patchouli, and amber. Additionally, it included iris and frankincense, which were highly sought after in Ancient Rome and difficult to obtain.
The Association of Aromatic Culture and Tourism noted that Caesar always attracted public attention with his lifestyle and attire. The public was also curious about the perfumes used by the distinguished general and who crafted them for him. Now that the composition of his fragrance has largely been uncovered, the association believes it is time to begin producing the perfume.
The team has promised that Gaius Julius Caesar’s favorite scent will be available in cosmetic boutiques in Turkey, France, and Italy starting this October.