The Roman Empire has long been admired for its achievements, and the lives of its emperors, like Julius Caesar, continue to intrigue many.
Have you ever wondered what a Roman emperor might have smelled like?
Thanks to the efforts of the Scent Culture and Tourism Association, Julius Caesar’s “Telinum” perfume has been recreated, giving us a glimpse into the olfactory world of ancient Rome.
The association, which focuses on promoting ancient perfumes, has now brought this historical scent back to life.
A Scent from History
Julius Caesar is one of history’s most famous Roman figures. Now he has become the inspiration behind a newly recreated perfume named “Telinum.”
According to Arkeonews, research into ancient Roman preferences revealed that Romans favored perfumes with simple formulas, often using ingredients like rose oil.
Interestingly, one of the most popular formulas, known as rhodium, was made using rose oil and even the sweat of gladiators. The use of gladiators’ sweat was considered valuable.
In ancient Rome, besides the rose-scented rhodium, other popular mixtures included perfumes made with narcissus, crocus with saffron, and metopium with bitter almonds. The fragrance of an emperor like Julius Caesar would have been far more luxurious and distinct.
High-ranking officials, generals, priests, and the wealthy would often import rare perfumes or commission special blends from leading perfumers of the time to set themselves apart.
The Recreation Process
The project to recreate Caesar’s perfume was led by Associate Professor Cenker Atila from the Archaeology Department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, in collaboration with Milan-based perfumers and the expertise of renowned Perfume Designer Bihter Türkan Ergül.
The perfume combines ancient scents such as rock rose, citrus, oud, and amber.
The perfume will be on sale in Türkiye, France, and Italy as of October.
According to the Scent Culture and Tourism Association, perfumes and cosmetics were highly popular and commercially significant across the Mediterranean during Caesar’s time.
Caesar himself was known for his attention to personal grooming, and his choice of perfume was no exception.
The recreated fragrance includes a mix of mint, rose, lemon, bergamot, lavender, jasmine, water lily, violet, oud, cedarwood, patchouli, and amber. It also features iris flower and rock rose—highly sought-after ingredients in ancient times that were difficult to procure.
