Alexander the Great’s Scented Clothes Obsession
Alexander reportedly had such a fixation with fragrance that he ordered his clothes, bedding, and even his hair to be perfumed daily with exotic oils. He believed smelling divine elevated one’s status—and morale—especially before battle. His armies marched into Persia smelling like a royal garden.
This obsession wasn’t merely luxurious—it had political strategy. By associating his presence with divine scents, Alexander cultivated a near-mystical aura. Even after death, his body was preserved in honey to retain aroma. While most warriors relied on swords, Alexander weaponized scent to conquer hearts as well as empires.
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