What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank
METROPOLITAN CITY OF ROME, LAZIO, JUL 1 – Ancient Rome's urban odors came from waste, animals, and decay despite widespread use of perfumes and incense, with professionals collecting waste for reuse, researchers say.
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What did ancient Rome smell like? Honestly, often pretty rank
minoandriani/Getty ImagesThe roar of the arena crowd, the bustle of the Roman forum, the grand temples, the Roman army in red with glistening shields and armour – when people imagine ancient Rome, they often think of its sights and sounds. We know less, however, about the scents of ancient Rome. We cannot, of course, go back and sniff to find out. But the literary texts, physical remains of structures, objects, and environmental evidence (such a…
Imagining the grandeur of Ancient Rome, we usually see the Colosseum, the Forum and the Legionaries. But have you ever wondered what smells filled the air of the capital of a mighty empire?
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