Oxygène Homme Lanvin 2001 Eau de Toilette

Posca! No, it's not the namesake character from Puccini's opera "Tosca" that is meant, but actually Posca: This is what the Romans called a drink made from diluted wine or vinegar and water. They used it to disinfect the often not-so-clean water that was frequently available to them. Often, they would spice it up a bit with honey and spices. The tarragon from the fragrance pyramid and possibly some dill can definitely be detected in Oxygène Homme. However, the Romans probably did not use these two spices for their Posca for taste reasons.

So, the ancient Romans diluted their water for disinfection with vinegar. They had no idea of selling it as a fragrance - unlike Lanvin, who color it blue and market it as "Oxygène Homme." Additionally, one can also smell some aquatic notes and the unspecified Ambroxan quite well. Cool Water meets Hengstenberg, so to speak.

I don't need to say more about the scent. I'm glad I was able to swap it this week and wish the next owner more enjoyment with it than I had!

But this wouldn't be a review from me if I didn't drop a few loosely related historical facts; almost in time for the recently passed Easter holiday: Those raised in a Christian environment probably remember the story when Jesus was given a sponge soaked in vinegar by a Roman soldier (his name was Stephaton) while on the cross. At least three of the four evangelists report this; how John ended up with a hyssop branch instead of the sponge is another matter. What sounds like a cruel act - I think being on the cross already presents enough problems, one doesn't need vinegar in the face - was probably more an act of mercy: Jesus' penultimate words are said to have been - now back to John - "I thirst!" So, the soldier was more likely offering him some Posca from his field flask; the vinegar is a mistranslation.

Or was it actually a scent strip with Oxygène Homme?