page_title: Beard
section_title: Lebanon
hierarchical_section_title: Beard / History / Ancient and classical world / Lebanon
caption_attribution_description: English: Anthropoid sarcophagus discovered at Cadiz Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15052/15052-h/15052-h.htm From: Scientific American Supplement, No. 832, December 12, 1891 File copyright info reads: "Not copyrighted in the United States. If you live elsewhere check the laws of your country before downloading this ebook."
context_page_description: A beard is the hair that grows on the chin, upper lip, cheeks and neck of humans and some non-human animals. In humans, usually only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards. Some women with hirsutism, a hormonal condition of excessive hairiness, may develop a beard.
  Throughout the course of history, societal attitudes toward male beards have varied widely depending on factors such as prevailing cultural-religious traditions and the current era's fashion trends. Some religions have considered a full beard to be absolutely essential for all males able to grow one and mandate it as part of their official dogma. Other cultures, even while not officially mandating it, view a beard as central to a man's virility, exemplifying such virtues as wisdom, strength, sexual prowess and high social status. In cultures where facial hair is uncommon, beards may be associated with poor hygiene or an uncivilized, dangerous demeanor. In countries with colder climates, beards help protect the wearer's face from the elements.
context_section_description: The ancient Semitic civilization situated on the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent and centered on the coastline of modern Lebanon gave great attention to the hair and beard. Where the beard has mostly a strong resemblance to that affected by the Assyrians, and familiar to us from their sculptures. It is arranged in three, four, or five rows of small tight curls, and extends from ear to ear around the cheeks and chin. Sometimes, however, in lieu of the many rows, we find one row only, the beard falling in tresses, which are curled at the extremity. There is no indication of the Phoenicians having cultivated mustachios.
caption: Phoenicians or the ancestors of the Lebanese gave great attention to the beard, as can be seen in their sculptures.
exif: {}