- Malabathrum was the term used in the Classical World (and the Medieval world) to describe Cinnamon, which came from India and Nepal.
Description
- The Dark Green leaves were grown in India and Nepal, in the eastern Himalayas and brought down to Muziris.
- Here they were imported from India into Egypt on Roman cargo vessels, and sold into the Roman Empire.
- Malabathrum is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.
Use
- Malabathrum was used as one of the ingredients in Roman Perfume.
- Malabathrum was used in Roman Cuisine, and was mentioned in the Recipes of Apicius.
- It was also used to flavour Greek wine.
Cost
- Malabathrum cost 300 Denarii per pound (lb).
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.
Nepal