By 100 BC, the Romans had popularized the use of perfumes in public baths, fountains, and daily life, reflecting their cultural values of luxury and personal grooming. The lavish use of perfumes involved importing exotic ingredients from across the Roman Empire, showcasing the extensive trade networks of the time. This trend not only influenced Roman social customs but also laid the groundwork for the modern fragrance industry, highlighting the intersection of culture and commerce.

Roman extravagance in perfume and public baths inspired satirical poetry from figures like Martial and Juvenal. Their works often critiqued luxury and excess, while also influencing love elegies that depicted the allure of beauty and sensuality in Augustan literature.