So I’m trying to write my first AC fic and I was wondering if any historians in the fandom know if fragrance/cologne existed in the assassin’s lives? Maybe not in Altair’s days but I was thinking maybe back in Jacob’s day?
According to my information fragance/cologne/perfume exist since B.C. !
It was actually used by the Ancient Egypts back in ye olde days and was called Kyphi. They used almonds, coriander, myrtle, bergamot and several desert flowers for the scent.
Between the 16th and 17th century scents in several forms were used to cover up unpleasant smell from unfrequent bathing. It was a luxury to obtain perfume and it was extremely expensive.
In the 18th century France, Sicily and Italy were growing aromatic plants to provide the growing perfume industry with raw materials. The use of perfume was exclusively for the rich and not the poor people and surely not for pleasantries. Covering up smells and distracting from visual blemishes were the first and only use for it. In rare occasions perfume bottles surely get stolen by thieves 😉
I hope this information helps you to write your fanfiction!
-Sister Teodora
PS: I am not a historical expert, so please correct me if I am wrong.
During the 19th century perfume was becoming more popular among the poorer classes but certainly weren’t up to quality in comparison to the more expensive stuff that the rich used.
Men’s fragrances for the middle to lower classes included herbs from teas such as bergamot and orange peels, and also fragrances made from redistilled alcohol which could be obtained by any pharmacist.
By the Victorian Era, hygiene had improved considerably as people finally figured out that bathing was good for you (before they thought it was detrimental to health) but antiperspirants had yet to be invented, so people tried to cover up body odor with a plethora of fragrances.
