Exotic luxuries in antiquity.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter describes the widespread use of frankincense and myrrh in the early civilizations. These fragrances played a central role in daily life, from consecrating temples and masking funeral odours to personal perfumery and treating illness. This chapter contains five subchapters on the ancient reports on incense, spice and silk, use of frankincense and myrrh in antiquity, the spices in antiquity, and lastly, silk in antiquity.