We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that physical appearance and character traits were important factors in choosing a mate. They also believed that a person’s beauty was inherited. A daughter’s beauty would be passed down to her daughters, who would be beautiful themselves.

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One way ancient Greeks and Romans evaluated a person’s physical beauty was by observing her facial features. They believed that facial features were linked to mental acumen as well as personality traits. For example, the Greek sculptor Phidias, who worked for the Parthenon temple, created famous statues of Athena, his patron goddess. According to legend, Athena’s face inspired his depiction of her wisdom and leadership abilities. In contrast, disfiguring facial traits like prognathism (a prominent chin) were associated with foolishness or greed.
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Another factor ancient Greeks and Romans considered when evaluating someone’s physical beauty was body proportions. Greco-Roman sculptors usually portrayed people in three different poses— standing, sitting or reclining— based on how people typically stand, sit or lie in life-like situations. This reinforced the idea that people with healthy bodies should have healthy minds. To enhance their appearance, ancient Greeks and Romans took baths regularly and applied lotions to their skin and hair. This also kept their hair free of split ends so it looked smooth and healthy when photographed or modeled for sculptures or jewelry designs. A person could look very beautiful despite having some physical imperfections if others enhanced her appearance accordingly.

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The ancients understood that good looks could enhance a person’s mental faculties like leadership ability and wisdom. Therefore, people have striven for good looks throughout history— from Greek warriors to American movie stars to African prospers whose good looks have landed them high-paying jobs in clubs and social events catering to African businessmen. Unfortunately, mankind has also perpetuated lies about what makes someone beautiful using principles antithetical to real beauty ever since ancient Greece propagated the apple-blossum theory of beauty decades ago!


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