Ch. 1 History of Barbering (Pivot Point)

Ancient Western Cultures

100

A person’s cut and style indicated rank in

Society

200

It was believed that cutting the hair let out

Evil spirits

300

These highly honored religious individuals were responsible for cutting and dressing of hair

Medicine-man or shaman

400

What three materials have combs been found to have been made of during tomb excavations?

Wood

Fish bones

Mammoth ivory

500

What three materials did Stone-Age tradesmen use to cut hair?

Sharpened flint

Oyster shells

Bone

Ancient Egypt and Biblical Times

100

Role of the barber continued to be one of

Religious prestige

200

Royalty and religious elite shaved the entire body as a

Purification ritual

300

Barbering instructions are even inscribed in the 

Bible

400

Egyptian razors have been found dating back to 

3500 BCE

500

First known historical mention (around 1300 BCE) of a barber is

Maryma’at

Ancient Greece and Rome

100

In Greek society, barbering and styling became regarded as

Respected arts

200

Greek men oiled and shaped their hair and beards in imitation of

Zeus

300

This leader decreed that all soldiers shave off their beards after being defeated in battle

Alexander the Great

400

Roman men’s hair and beard styles then tended to mirror the trends set by the

Powerful elite

500

Roman magistrate of Sicily who brought the first barbers and clean-shaven look to Rome was

Ticinius Mena

Early Eastern Cultures

100

These professionals practice in open-air markets, on sidewalks, and roadsides

Street barbers

200

These religious leaders completely shave their heads

Buddhist monks

300

Due to this, African men are more susceptible to ingrown beard hairs

Tight curl texture

400

This Sikh practice means never cutting the hair

Kesh

500

Men in this era with higher social status wore the head shaved, except for a lock of hair at the back or side

Vedic period

Pre-Industrial Western Culture

100

In 1215 CE clergy were forbidden to be involved where this was present

Blood

200

In 1745 these two professional organizations were permanently separated

Surgeons and barber-surgeons

300

In this year clergy were forbidden from wearing beards

1093

400

In 1540, this organization was created through a merger

The Company of Barbers and Surgeons

500

In 1308 this organization was formed

The Worshipful Company of Barbers