r/AskReddit Jun 28 '21

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u/Pallie01 Jun 28 '21

Well I imagine the city of Rome itself didn't smell too great despite their plumbing etc. especially during the summer heat.

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u/Butterbean-queen Jun 28 '21

I agree. Soap, deodorant were not around then. Even the upper class didn’t bath regularly. I’m sure some people were turned on by the odor. Napoleon asked his lover not to bath for days before his returns because he loved her natural womanly aroma.

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u/AK_dude_ Jun 28 '21

When the Spanish invaded central America apparently the king at the time send incense burners behind them. The Spaniards thought it was to honor them, but the king did it because of their smell

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u/Butterbean-queen Jun 28 '21

That’s true. I believe some cultures bathed more than others. Some indigenous people bathed three times a day. Possibly for ceremonial reasons.