Candles Lit Up The Roman Empire

In "Deadly Confrontation", Miriam visits Delia, Katerina’s best friend to find out more about why Katerina was murdered:

Delia waved me into her cage-like room. With a sagging wooden floor and low ceiling, it exhaled the stench of ripe clothing and the acrid grease of tallow candles. It had space for only a trunk, a washstand over a chamber pot, a pallet—just a puddle of straw covered with a tattered quilt—and a scarred table with two facing chairs. The hubbub of the street along with a sliver of yellow light leaked through the high, slit-like window.

Tallow candles, rendered from the fat of animals, typically cattle or sheep, were a staple light source for centuries. Their widespread use can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where they served as a primary source of light in homes and public spaces. These early candles helped facilitate the bustling trade, administration, and daily life that defined this powerful civilization. While these candles were widely used by the general population, they were not without their drawbacks. The odor they emitted when burning and their tendency to produce smoke led to the eventual preference for beeswax candles.

The odor of these candles comes from the fatty acids present in the animal fat used to make them. As the candle burns, these fatty acids release their unique scents. The smoke and soot of tallow candles also contributes to their distinctive scent.

Despite their acrid odor, some people prefer them because they create a mood of ancient warmth. I, however, prefer getting my ancient warmth from reading a Miriam bat Isaac story. Just click here for a story that’s free to access.