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491. History's Greatest Beards: From Egyptian Queens to Medieval Conquerors (Part 1)

The Rest Is History

CHAPTER

Beards, Identity, and Leadership in Ancient Rome

This chapter examines the contrasting representations of masculinity through the grooming choices of Alexander the Great and his father, Philip II, focusing on how facial hair symbolized identity and authority. It highlights the cultural clash between Greek and Roman ideals regarding beards, discussing how Alexander's clean-shaven look influenced Roman society and sparked debates over personal grooming practices. The narrative further traces the evolution of facial hair symbolism in ancient Rome, culminating in Emperor Hadrian's strategic embrace of beards as a marker of leadership and philosophical ideals.

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