Ancient Greco-Roman Sculptures Were Not Just Visual Spectacles but Could Also Be ‘Smelt', They Were Scented

For centuries, the world has admired the stunning beauty of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, gushing over their intricate craftsmanship, lifelike details, and grandeur. These statues, often showcased in museums as pristine as white marble forms, have long been seen as the epitome of classical artistry. Yet, modern research has speculated that these sculptures were not originally the stark, colorless figures we perceive today, as per Wiley. Instead, one must not believe that they were painted in dynamic hues and flaunted with jewelry and fine textiles. But what if there was another, even more shocking yet surprising sensory element to these sculptures? What if they were meant to be smelled as well as seen?

A groundbreaking study published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology by archaeologist Cecilie Brøns has revealed a fascinating and often ignored aspect of Greco-Roman sculpture—these were not for the eyes but to be smelled as well. Using classical texts, inscriptions, and scientific analysis, she notes that several statues were anointed with fragrant oils and waxes, creating a multisensory vibe for worshippers and spectators alike. Brøns noted, “Unfortunately, the [Delos] inscriptions usually do not specify exactly how the kosmesis was applied or by whom. Neither do they state whether the kosmesis was applied to all or only specific sculptures in the temples and whether it was used for the entire statue or only some of its parts…Yet they do provide the important information that perfume and thus scent was a significant aspect of the statues in the Delian temples,” as reported by Gizmodo.

The Roman orator Cicero documented the practice of anointing statues with aromatic ointments, especially in temples. In the Greek sanctuary of Delos, inscriptions reveal detailed records of the perfumes used to maintain the statues of Artemis and Hera. Ingredients such as olive oil, beeswax, and rose-scented fragrances were commonly employed, demonstrating the value placed on scent in religious rites. Brøns explained, “Admiring a statue in the ancient world was not just a visual experience, but also an olfactory one.” This is not the only proof, historical texts provide further evidence of this practice. The poet Callimachus described a statue of Queen Berenice II of Egypt as “moist with perfume,” indicating that even royal figures were honored with scented sculptures, as per Arkeonews.

Meanwhile, the Floralia festival in Rome involved draping statues in garlands of roses and violets, amplifying their fragrance and reinforcing their presence in public spaces. Ancient sculptors and caretakers developed high-tech techniques to apply and preserve these scents. One such method, known as ganosis, involved coating statues with a mixture of wax and oils, both to enhance their appearance and to infuse them with fragrance. Brøns noted, “The modern perception of ancient Greco-Roman sculpture is influenced by approximately two centuries of scholarly studies, which have focused almost exclusively on shape and form, thus convincing us that these artifacts are—and have always been—scentless…This modern ‘smell blindness’ can possibly cause us to miss a major potential attribute of the objects we study,” via Gizmodo.

Moreover, classical authors like Vitruvius and Pliny the Elder recorded the use of substances like Pontic wax, which surprisingly not only preserved the sculptures’ colors but also contributed to their aroma. Scientific analysis has even discovered traces of beeswax on a portrait of Queen Berenice II, suggesting that it underwent an ancient perfume treatment, as per Archaeology magazine.