What was the Roman reason for embalming?

The primary reason for embalming in ancient Rome was to prevent putrefaction. The Romans believed in the importance of maintaining the body for a duration after death, which was often tied to their beliefs about the afterlife and the proper observance of funerary rites. By embalming, they could help preserve the body, allowing more time for rituals and mourning practices to be conducted.

The process of embalming, which often involved the use of certain chemicals and methods to inhibit decay, served to ensure that the deceased would be honored appropriately. It was not merely a cosmetic practice; rather, it had practical implications that extended to societal and cultural beliefs about death and the journey after life. This practice reflected the Roman respect for the dead and their desire to prevent physical deterioration that would undermine the dignity of the deceased.

While aesthetic reasons and a display of wealth may have had roles in funerary practices, the foremost concern was the preservation of the body itself to delay any process of decay, thereby facilitating the necessary customs surrounding death.