The word perfume is used today to describe scented mixtures
and is derived from the Latin word, "per fumus", meaning through
smoke. The word perfumery refers to the art of making
perfumes. Perfume was refined by the Romans, the
Persians and the Arabs. Although perfume and perfumery also
existed in East Asia, much of its fragrances were incense based. The
basic ingredients and methods of making perfumes
are described by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia.
