The popularization of being clean-shaven is often linked to Alexander the Great, one of history's most celebrated military leaders and strategists. However, the reason behind this trend is subject to historical debate and interpretation. Some sources suggest that Alexander encouraged his soldiers to shave their beards to avoid giving enemies something to grab onto during hand-to-hand combat, thus integrating practical military strategy with personal grooming.
The claim that Alexander himself couldn't grow a proper beard and thus promoted shaving as a style is a more speculative one. While there is scant direct evidence regarding Alexander's ability to grow facial hair, the influence he wielded in setting trends and standards in his era was undeniable. Ancient depictions and statues of Alexander generally show him with a clean-shaven face, which contrasts with the then-prevailing customs among many Greek cultures where beards were common.
This clean-shaven look might have also been intended to display youthfulness and vigor, qualities that Alexander, who became the King of Macedonia at the young age of 20, likely wanted to emphasize. It also set him apart from his adversaries and predecessors, marking his era as one of change and conquest.
The spread of Alexander's empire from Greece through Asia, including Egypt and into India, helped to disseminate Greek culture, including its aesthetic values and norms like shaving. This Hellenistic influence saw a blending of cultures, where local customs were often mixed with Greek practices, including in the realm of fashion and personal appearance. Thus, Alexander’s personal grooming preferences could have had a broader cultural impact, setting trends that echoed throughout his empire.
In summary, while it is intriguing to consider personal reasons like an inability to grow a full beard as a factor in Alexander the Great's promotion of being clean-shaven, it is more likely that practical military considerations and a desire to reflect certain cultural ideals were the primary drivers. This clean-shaven style not only influenced his immediate followers but also continued to impact social norms and personal grooming practices across various cultures long after his death.
