- The Balm of Gilead was an expensive perfume first mentioned in The Bible.
- It was famous throughout the Roman Empire as a very expensive perfume.
Description
- The perfume was made from the resin of Balsam Trees.
- At one stage it was a monopoly manufactured in the town of Ein Gedi, near Masada on the Dead Sea.
Roman Perfume
- Roman Perfume was widely used by the Ancient Egyptians, the Ancient Greeks and across the Roman Empire.
- Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was associated with Perfume.
- The Temples used large quantities of perfume as Incense and often had perfume workshops nearby.
- The Romans used Perfumes in their Bathhouses.
- Perfume was also worn by Royal Families, the Aristocracy and by Politicians.
- Perfumes were used in Medicine.
Ein Gedi