Queen of Babylon by Prince Matchabelli, launched in 1928 alongside its sister scent Queen of the Nile, emerged during an era when exoticism, ancient empires, and cinematic grandeur captivated the Western imagination. The name Queen of Babylon was a deliberate invocation of one of the most mythic and mysterious civilizations of the ancient world—Babylon, the fabled city of Mesopotamia, known for its splendor, decadence, and intrigue. Babylon had long been immortalized in biblical tales, historical texts, and Romantic art, and by the 1920s, it also enjoyed a prominent place in popular culture, with lavish Hollywood epics and grand stage productions bringing its mythical past to life. Films like Intolerance (1916), which depicted the fall of Babylon in opulent detail, left an indelible impression and likely helped shape public fascination with such themes.
By choosing the name Queen of Babylon, Matchabelli evoked an aura of power, sensuality, and transgression. The title conjures images of opulent palaces, cascading jewels, and a woman of formidable beauty—possibly Semiramis, the legendary Assyrian queen often (though incorrectly) associated with Babylon, who was mythologized as a powerful and seductive ruler. The word “Babylon” had by this time become synonymous with exotic excess and moral ambiguity, thanks in part to religious interpretations and popular media. Thus, describing the fragrance as “just a bit wicked” was a playful nod to this legacy—offering modern women a scent that suggested mystery, allure, and a delicious sense of rule-breaking sophistication.
Launched during the twilight of the Roaring Twenties, Queen of Babylon reflected the spirit of its time: a decade shaped by jazz-age rebellion, flapper fashion, and a marked shift toward liberated femininity. The 1920s woman was leaving behind Victorian restraint and stepping into modernity with daring hemlines, bobbed hair, and a newfound independence. Perfume, during this era, became an essential part of a woman's expression of self—no longer merely a luxury, but a symbol of identity. A fragrance with a “spicy and exotic odor” and the provocative name Queen of Babylon would have appealed to the woman who wished to project confidence and allure, to embody a sense of glamour touched with danger.