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.