In a message dated 4/24/02 2:12:42 PM, jeff.kyer_at_... writes:
<< Not really. Romans became clean shaven in aprox 2nd-3rd centry BC. This is about the time decent steel became availble in small quanties - and when we start to hear of barbers. Before that point, they were more beareded. >>
Roman legions, I always heard, required men to shave because your enemies could grab you by your beard.
By the way, if EVERY MALE has a beard I don't quite understand the special point of LM worshippers having to have them. Yes, yes, I know about women, but that wasn't what was stressed in the original write ups.
In American history, beards came back into fashion as a result of the Civil War. All the presidents from Lincoln on through the next generation had them.
jim Chapin
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