Ancient Greek's Concept on Beauty
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
Socrates was the first philosopher who started looking into beauty. He believed that features should be kept pure. After Socrates, Plato started studying beauty and he believed that it had something to do with symmetry. It is also said that it was Plato that decided that beauty cannot be defined.
The Greeks had very high standards and the way they looked. Unlike today, the Greeks would practice hygiene not to look good, but for themselves.
Portrait of spartan queen and spartan warrior with selfmade theater clothings,selective focus on her
"Less is more"
The Greeks believe in simplicity. They also thought being pale was prestigious and beautiful. They way you looked was very important to the Greeks. If you were a Greek and you had short hair, you were a slave and if you were a Greek and had long hair you were a free women. Most of the free women wore their hair in buns. Greeks would not try to cover up certain aspects, instead they would enhance their natural features.
The Greeks used their resources for their products of hair and makeup. Examples would be vinegar, olive oil, charcoal, honey, beeswax, and white chalk. Vinegar would be used like we use highlights. Greeks would pour vinegar on their hair and then lay in the sun. Olive oil would be used for mixing with powders and other products to make makeup and to make their skin look shiny. Charcoal would be used instead of eye liner. The Greeks used honey to moisturize their skin. Beeswax was used for lipstick. Finally, white chalk would be used to make them look even paler.
Connection
When you look at our modern day society, the way you look is extremely important. Most of the time you are judged on the way you look. The Greeks knew how important looks were and tried their best to stay up to standards. You could also say that we use our resources today to make makeup as well.
In contrast, today we try to use makeup to cover up imperfections and the Greeks would try to use their makeup to enhance their features. Also, we know what type of makeup is dangerous and what is not. The Greeks tried to do whatever they could to stay pale, which isn't the same today. Today we have tanning beds and lotions to help us get tan.
Priestesses hand over the Olympic flame during the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia, Greece.
Without the Greeks, we may not have the same thoughts about beauty as we do today. The ancient Greeks came up with the concept that if features are proportioned and symmetrical, the more beautiful it is.
Source:
"Ancient Greece and You." Ancient Greece and You. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/greenwaldgreece3.html>.
"Beauty and the Greeks." Aishcom. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.aish.com/h/c/t/dt/48971961.html>.
"Beauty History: Cosmetics in Ancient Greece." Beautiful With Brains. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/03/03/beauty-history-cosmetics-in-ancient-greece>.
"Early Theories of Beauty." Early Theories of Beauty. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www2.uiah.fi/projects/metodi/15k.htm>.