Ancient history is full of myths, legends, and fascinating events. And some of those events were directly related to the scent and its ability to influence others.
One of those scented stories occurred in 41 BC, and it was the story that could have changed the course of the history of the ancient world.
If you are wondering what I am talking about, keep reading this post because today I review X Perfume Feminine Edition by Clive Christian, dedicated to the passion between Cleopatra and Marc Anthony.
Venus has come to feast with Bacchus
After the murder of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, the Roman Empire descended into civil war and anarchy.
The leadership of Rome was divided between Marc Antony and Octavian. Antony ruled the eastern region including Greece and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Octavian ruled in the west.
The meeting of Marc Antony and Cleopatra was necessary for the two of them. He needed money for a military campaign to subdue the eastern territories, while she needed the protection of Rome.
When Cleopatra went to meet Marc Antony at sea, she was as the goddess Venus in human form, anointed with the choicest rose-scented oils.
The purple sails of her ship were perfumed with the mixture of fragrant oils that was known to the Egyptians as Kyphi. It was a mixture of jasmine, cassia, cinnamon, peppermint, pistacia, convolvulus, juniper, acacia, henna, and Cyprus.
Lawrence Alma-Tadema, The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra, 1885
According to legend, Cleopatra perfumed the sails with fragrant oils before setting off to sea – to scent the air and seduce Mark Antony before he laid eyes on her.
With such scented appearance accompanied by music and beautiful maids dressed like Sea Nymphs and Graces, Cleopatra, of course, has succeeded. Venus has come to feast with Bacchus for the common good…
But the feast has lasted far too long…
After the meeting with Cleopatra, Marc Antony seemed to forget about his territories, civil war, and Rome. He has been carried away by her to Alexandria, where they continued the feast of enjoyment.
The romance between Cleopatra and Antony lasted 11 years, during which he has gifted to Cleopatra and their children some of the western territories of Rome.
As a result, Octavian declared war on Egypt and Cleopatra with Marc Antony. The long and reckless passion between the queen of Egypt and her lover Antony ended in mutual suicide in 30 BC.
The centuries go by, but their passion continues to inspire writers, poets, and artists all over the world.
And, obviously, this tragic story which began with the scent is reflected in perfumery – one of the most sensual forms of art.
Review of X Perfume Feminine Edition by Clive Christian
This perfume opens with a delightful scent of peach surrounded by the juicy citruses. The note of rhubarb brings to this fragrance its refreshing fruity sound with some green and light sour accents.
After a while, when the bright opening of X Perfume calms down, a sensual and alluring floral heart with jasmine in the head reveals itself.
Being a natural aphrodisiac, jasmine gives this perfume its deep and voluptuous sweet aroma.
In this perfume, jasmine is beautifully framed by the notes of rose, narcissus, and tuberose.
Orris covers the petals of these flowers with a very charming powdery veil. Meanwhile, the note of lily of the valley brings to X Perfume its refined light scent.
Click here to read my perfume review of 1872 Feminine Edition by Clive Christian Perfume.
The base of this perfume is represented by the note of vanilla accompanied by the earthy nuances of patchouli and a creamy sound of sandalwood.
Rum brings to this fragrance a little bit reckless character, while cashmeran adds to X Perfume its musky aroma with velvety nuances.
X Perfume by Clive Christian is a very beautiful olfactive embodiment of the story of Cleopatra and Marc Antony.
This perfume tells us about a masterful seduction, a world of sensual delights and a reckless passion that will always find a place in our hearts until the end of the world…
Notes: Peach, Rhubarb, Mandarin, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rose, Orris, Narcissus, Lily of the Valley, Tuberose, Vanilla, Cashmeran Musk, Patchouli, Rum, Sandalwood.
If it were a place, it would be an exquisite boudoir.
If it were a color, it would be soft burgundy.
If it were one word, it would be sensual.
It was my review of X Perfume Feminine Edition by Clive Christian, and I hope you enjoyed it.
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