Natural History of Gaius Plinius Secundus, Vol. 2

NAT. HIST.

Ointments have been given names, some by their fatherlands, others by their juices, others by the trees, others by their purposes. And it is fitting to know this first: that authority has changed, and the glory has frequently passed elsewhere. It was most praised in ancient times on the island of Delos, afterward the Mendesian. Nor did this happen only by mixture and composition, but the same juices prevailed or degenerated variously elsewhere for one reason or another: Iris-scent from Corinth was long most highly regarded, afterward that from Cyzicus; in a similar way, rose-scent from Phaselis, which glory Naples, Capua, and Praeneste took away. Saffron-scent from Soli in Cilicia was long most highly praised, soon after, that from Rhodes. Wine-scent (oenanthinum) in Cyprus, then it was preferred in Egypt, afterward at Adramyttium. Marjoram-scent (amaracinum) in Cos; afterward Melinum was preferred in the same place. Cypress-scent (cyprinum) in Cyprus, then in Egypt, where the Mendesian and metopium suddenly became more pleasing. Soon Phoenicia took these away, and left the fame of the cypress-scent to Egypt. Athens persistently kept its own Panathenaicon. There had also been the Pardalium in Tarsus, the composition and mixture of which has even been obliterated. Narcissus-scent also ceased to be composed from the flower of the narcissus. The method of making is twofold: the juice and the body. The latter consists mostly of kinds of oil, the former of scents. These they call "stymmata" (stains/bases), those "hedysmata" (sweet-things). A third element between these, the color, is neglected by many. For the sake of this, cinnabar and alkanet are added. Salt sprinkled on restrains the nature of the oil. To those to which alkanet is added, salt is not added. Resin or gum is added to hold the scent in the body. It vanishes and flows away very quickly if this is not added. The most common of ointments was, as is likely, the first one made from moss and ben-oil, about which we have spoken above. It increased there-