SICELIOTA, ATENIESE O EGIZIANO? ULTERIORI CONSIDERAZIONI SUL PROFUMIERE MEGALLOS

Sicilian, Athenian or Egyptian? Further considerations on the perfumer Megallos · Pollux, Athenaeus, and Galen attribute three diπerent origins to the perfumer Megallos, who was active in Athens between the 5th and the 4th century BC. Pollux and Athenaeus – who are echoed throughout the later lexicographical tradition – mention Megallos’ Sicilian origin; Athenaeus makes him an Athenian too; Galen refers to him as an Egyptian, a native of Mendes, and creator of the perfume Megalleion, later also called Mendesion. This work intends to shed light on these three traditions. It will attempt to identify the one that contains the greatest elements of credibility, taking into account the very limited data avaible.