We do not exactly know that, who was the first man to shave his beard, but we know that the ancient Egyptians did shave their faces for religious reasons. On the other hand, ancient Jews were required to wear full beards, and there are many orthodox Jews who still do so for religious reasons.
The ancient Greeks wore beards and many portraits of the great Greek philosophers show them with long flowing beards. Then Alexander the great introduced them with custom of shaving. He is said to have done this so that his soldiers would not be grabbed by their beards in the combat.
The early Romans did not shave until about 300 B.C., when barbers were introduced. The first roman known to have shaved every day was the great general Scipio Africanus (237-183 B.C.), and then shaving soon became very regular practice among Romans. By the way, in time of mourning the Romans let their beard grow and the Greeks cut their beards.
In the 16th and 17th centuries the wearing of beards was revived among popes, cardinals, and priests. Later Roman Catholic practice went back to the idea of shaving, except for member of monasteries.
The custom of shaving was introduced in England by the Saxons.
The ancient Greeks wore beards and many portraits of the great Greek philosophers show them with long flowing beards. Then Alexander the great introduced them with custom of shaving. He is said to have done this so that his soldiers would not be grabbed by their beards in the combat.
The early Romans did not shave until about 300 B.C., when barbers were introduced. The first roman known to have shaved every day was the great general Scipio Africanus (237-183 B.C.), and then shaving soon became very regular practice among Romans. By the way, in time of mourning the Romans let their beard grow and the Greeks cut their beards.
In the 16th and 17th centuries the wearing of beards was revived among popes, cardinals, and priests. Later Roman Catholic practice went back to the idea of shaving, except for member of monasteries.
The custom of shaving was introduced in England by the Saxons.
