Unguentum
（
ἔλαιον, μύρον, σμῆγμα, σμῆμα). An ointment or perfume,
both being extensively used by the ancients. The earliest and most common of unguents was
olive-oil (see
Oliva,
Oleum), used after the bath and in the preparation of the person for
athletic contests. Other oils, more expensive and used partly for the skin and partly for the
hair, are enumerated by Pliny （
Pliny H. N. xiii.
4-18). They are usually named from the substance with which they were perfumed, as
irinum (iris),
rosaceum (rose),
narcissinum (narcissus),
sesaminum (sesame),
cardamomum (cardamum),
cinnamomum (cinnamon),
crocinum (saffron), etc. Scented powders (
διαπάσματα）
were also popular (Theophr.
Odor. 8). Luxurious persons carried oils and
essences to the bath in little boxes (
narthecia) or in scent-bottles (see
Alabastrum). Perfumers were called
μυρεψοί, μυροπῶλαι,
unguentarii, and did a
thriving business. In the effeminate city of Capua a whole street or square (the Seplasia) was
given up to them (
In Pis. ii. 24). See Boettiger,
Sabina, last
ed. rev. by Fischer
(Munich, 1878); and for cosmetics the articles
Fucus; Melinum. For soaps and powders see
Fullo;
Sapo;
Spuma.
