logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
22m 26s

#543 | From Temples to Duty-Free | The A...

Leonardo English
About this episode

 


In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating history of perfume, tracing its journey from Ancient Mesopotamia to its artistic development in France.

 

We'll learn how scents have evolved from practical uses to luxury items, and discover the intriguing world of “grands nez,” the master perfumers who dedicate their lives to crafting these aromatic masterpieces.

 
  • Perfume origins: from Mesopotamia to Middle Eastern innovation
  • Ancient perfume use: religious rituals and practical odour cover
  • Egypt: Perfume as a status symbol in hot climates
  • Cleopatra and the power of scent
  • Roman perfume indulgence and imported fragrances
  • French perfume evolution: From leather gloves to luxury
  • Grasse: The perfume capital of the world
  • Why perfume is expensive: ingredients and branding
  • Becoming a "grand nez": the perfumer's journey
  • Perfume's artistic and historical significance across cultures

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/perfume

---

You might like:

🔓 Unlock bonus episodes, interactive transcripts, subtitles & vocabulary lists

5 Powerful Tips for Learning English with Podcasts (Faster & Effectively!) [YouTube]

📹 A look inside Leonardo English membership

📧 Join our FREE weekly newsletter

---

Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية

Up next
Nov 20
#580 | Operation Valkyrie & The Plot To Kill Hitler
<p><strong> </strong></p><br><p>On 20 July 1944, a bomb ripped through a meeting room in Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair. </p> <br> <p>This episode tells how Operation Valkyrie *almost* managed to kill Adolf Hitler, and the vicious crackdown that came afterwards.</p> <br> <ul> <li>The Wolf ... Show More
21m 55s
Nov 6
#577 | A Short History Of Universities
In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of "university", we go on a whirlwind tour of the history of universities, from medieval student guilds in Bologna to the modern day. The University of Bologna nears its thousand-year anniversary. Why universities emerged: stab ... Show More
22m 44s
Oct 23
#575 | The Science of Happiness: Can It Be Measured?
What does happiness really mean, and can it be measured? In this episode, we move from Aristotle’s eudaimonia to brain scans, surveys, big data, and what truly lifts our mood. It asks why money only helps so much, why social ties matter, and how trust shapes national well-being. ... Show More
22m 54s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
👃 Perfume (Part 1) + Transcript
Get our IELTS Speaking parts 1, 2, and 3 episode archive: http://patreon.com/ieltssfs Do you like perfume? What kinds of perfume do you use? How much do you spend on perfume? Where do you spray perfume? Do you give perfume as a gift? Tune in and have a great day! - Book a cl ... Show More
25m 16s
Sep 2024
How Greek Myths Shape Brands Like Nike & Pandora: Learn English Ep 776
Did you know your favourite brands like Nike and Amazon are named after Greek myths? Today we learn English without feeling like it's studying! Just to let you know that *subscription episodes are now live on Spotify and Apple!* So for the price of just one nice coffee a month yo ... Show More
14m 8s
Feb 2024
Cracking the Code: The Rosetta Stone Story
Unlock the secrets of ancient communication in this fascinating podcast episode delving into the history of the Rosetta Stone. Journey back in time to Egypt's Ptolemaic era, where the stone served as a pivotal key to deciphering hieroglyphs. Explore the story behind its discovery ... Show More
8m 10s
Aug 21
224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry
<p><em>Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.</em></p><p><br>All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/laura-spinney/">Laura Spinney</a> says understanding language — whe ... Show More
23m 47s
Nov 13
Bonus Ep 84: Pt. 2 of The Elizabethan Era: Exploration, Empire & the English Renaissance | Ft. Ben Marks
📥 ⁠⁠⁠Grab this episode's FREE PDF⁠⁠⁠ with 25 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster! 🎓 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my weekly online group lessons⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ England sails into global power in this spirited exploration ... Show More
31m 10s
Apr 2025
Plus Bites 1 | AI Futures, Ancient Myths, Brain Power & Life's Big Questions
Dive deep into a diverse range of fascinating topics in this episode! We start with language, exploring the meaning and nuances of "All's well that ends well" and the weary feeling of "lassitude." Then, we tackle the complex future of Artificial Intelligence, equipping you with e ... Show More
1h 36m
Sep 4
Bitesize Ep 105: A Shocking Chapter of British History: The Day London Nearly Drowned in Dung
📥 Grab the FREE PDF with 15 advanced expressions from this episode, complete with quizzes and example sentences, to learn today’s vocabulary 3x faster! 🎓 ⁠⁠⁠Join my weekly online group lessons⁠⁠ In this episode, we dive into a shocking chapter of British history: The Great Hors ... Show More
26m 37s
Sep 2023
Learn Arabic: Giving Compliments 2
This episode exposes you to phrases, repeated in English and Arabic, to improve your Arabic vocabulary and help you to express yourself in Arabic. These episodes are meant to accompany and accelerate your existing Arabic language studies, whether you're using an app like DuoLingo ... Show More
4m 28s
May 2024
How the Legacy of the British Empire Still Shapes Our World, with Sathnam Sanghera
Sathnam Sanghera is a writer and author of bestselling books exploring British identity, the latest of which is Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe. It follows Empireland, which looked at how the British Empire has shaped modern Britain. Sanghera has written ... Show More
38m 11s
Jun 2025
Culture | Attar's Parable of the Moths, Part 4
In this episode of Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation, we conclude The Parable of the Moths by Attar, taken from his masterpiece Conference of the Birds. I'm joined by the brilliant Omid Arabian of YOUniversal Center, who walks us through the last 4 lines of the poem—explor ... Show More
34m 26s