the worst excesses of the Roman empire

'The Rose is one of the oldest flowers known to man, and still one of the most popular. Nebuchadnezzar used them to adorn his palace and in Persia . . . the petals were used to fill the Sultan's mattress. . . . Roses later became synonymous with the worst excesses of the Roman empire'the peasants were reduced to growing roses instead of food crops in order to satisfy the demands of their rulers. The emperors filled their swimming baths and fountains with rose-water and sat on carpets of rose petals for their feasts and orgies.'

'Sheila Pickles, The Language of Flowers, 1990.