Silphium: The untold story of this lost Roman herb that Julius Caesar loved
A plant used to appear in ancient Geek and Roman currencies. This unique plant, known as Silphium, was believed to have amazing superpowers, starting from seasoning to medicine. It originated rather mysteriously in the city of Cyrene in Libya, Africa, which produced much of the world's Silphium supply. It even used the flower image as its emblem. But despite its incredible worth and popularity, no one knows exactly how it Grew in Cyrene and finally disappeared from the world. Let’s know more about its amazing properties, delve into its history, how the African herb became popular with the Romans and much more.
Silphium at a glance
Silphium was a plant with yellow flowers that grew exclusively in the North African city of Cyrene, in present-day Libya. It was characterised by its distinctive heart-shaped seeds. Silphium was an herb that grew up to 6-feet tall and had large leaves covered in sticky resin. The resin was the most prized part of the plant and was believed to have had a wide range of medicinal and culinary properties.
Silphium travels from Africa to Rome?
Are you wondering how a plant that originated in Africa made its way to Rome and Greece? Firstly, the story of its origins, remains shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that after a heavy rainfall called the black rain, Silphium suddenly appeared in Cyrene. This unusual occurrence only added to the plant’s enigmatic reputation. In 96 BC, the Greeks and Romans occupied Cyrene and quickly discovered the potential of Silphium. The plant captured their imagination so much that they sang songs and wrote poems about it! Roman emperor Julius Caesar was particularly enamoured with the plant, and it is said that he even stored a whopping 680 kg of Silphium in his royal treasury! Silphium’s unusual origins and revered status among the ancient Greeks and Romans make it a fascinating piece of history.
The amazing power of Silphium
You must be wondering why this herb was revered so much. Let's see what wonders Silphium was capable of. Its stalks and sap were highly sought after in cooking, while its roots had medicinal properties. Even its small, yellow flowers were used in making perfumes. The plant’s roots were often eaten fresh or dipped in vinegar to enhance their flavour. In fact, the oldest cookbook written by a Roman merchant, Marcus Gavius Apicius, describes how ancient people used Silphium in sauces to create a taste similar to parsley. Adding Silphium to food also had medicinal benefits, as it was known to cure stomach aches, headaches and food poisoning. Interestingly, Silphium may have been the first effective form of birth control. It is said that the plant's heart-shaped seeds are the reason why we associate that symbol with romance to this day!
How did Silphium disappear?
After the Greeks and Romans took over Cyrene, Silphium disappeared within 100 years! Are you wondering how? The answer lies in the fact that Silphium was notoriously difficult to cultivate. It grew only in a specific region in Cyrene and attempts to cultivate it elsewhere proved futile. Thus, people mostly collected Silphium from the wild, and it was never commercially produced. As a result, the quantity of Silphium available was limited, and its overexploitation led to its ultimate demise. Moreover, Rome’s urban growth and deforestation damaged the environment required for the growth of Silphium. As the demand for the herb increased, the ecosystem couldn’t keep up, and the plant was pushed further towards extinction. Climate change also played a significant role in the herb's disappearance. And one day, the mystical plant vanished!
Despite the challenges, researchers today are fervently trying to find any remains of Silphium that may exist. Although lost and extinct, Silphium’s legacy remains a symbol of ancient Rome's wealth, power and mystique.