emeraldglass
6'1" Gymmaxed Moroccan Stoic— MOD from Benelux
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Why this post?
Users here frequently think the blackpill to be some new phenomenon, seemingly unaware that there was a historical era when it was mainstream and considered normal. The blackpill is not a novel concept, it was a mainstream idea in ancient Greece, with many ideas about beauty and concepts used today originating from that period.
It's impossible to be ignorant of the historical origins of beauty standards while professing to follow the blackpill or expressing a love for beauty in the first place.
So we will explore the place where they were first embraced as a social concept and attempted to be quantified. While beauty standards existed even before Ancient Greece, notably in Mesopotamia, they weren't extensively discussed until the era of Ancient Greece. Therefore, I regard Ancient Greece as the initial society to introduce aspects closely resembling today's blackpill ideology.
Let's delve into it
Beauty was very important in Greece, particularly during the Classical Period (c. 500–323 BCE), this was extremely prevalent. Beauty and gender in ancient Greece were closely intertwined, molding societal expectations and norms concerning physical appearance and behavior. The ancient Greeks acknowledged a spectrum of identities and roles, shaped by biological sex, social norms, and cultural expectations.
*In ancient Greece, both genders were anticipated to adhere to specific standards of physical appearance and behavior, primarily limited to the upper classes. These ideals were closely aligned with the prevalent social and cultural norms of that era.
In essence, those most preoccupied with their appearance in ancient Greece were people of higher social standing. They needed to uphold their reputation, and their financial means allowed them to do so.
In today's society, a similar trend persists, where celebrities and the rich adhere to specific standards of beauty and fashion.
Contrarily, people with fewer financial resources will not prioritize dressing well or maintaining their appearance due to other pressing struggles.
Brutal for moneyless incels, this is a reminder that money plays a significant role in looksmaxing.
In today's society, a similar trend persists, where celebrities and the rich adhere to specific standards of beauty and fashion.
Contrarily, people with fewer financial resources will not prioritize dressing well or maintaining their appearance due to other pressing struggles.
Brutal for moneyless incels, this is a reminder that money plays a significant role in looksmaxing.
The idea of physical beauty was inherently tied to youthfulness, with the aging process seen as a diminishing factor in attractiveness and desirability. This belief is prominently evident in the artistic depictions of the era, which primarily showcased youthful and idealized figures, embodying the societal value placed on youthful beauty.
Male beauty in Greek society was characterized by athleticism and physical power, with men engaging in physical pursuits like athletics, exercise, and military training to maintain their physical condition and enhance their appeal, embodying qualities like courage, self-control, and knowledge.
**These qualities, along with moral excellence, were enveloped in the ideals of arete (excellence) and kalokagathia (nobility of character expressed by physical beauty).
Allow me to explain the true meaning of kalokagathia because it holds great significance and might even be the most blackpilled concept from that era. Kalokagathia is essentially what we now refer to as the beauty halo. It conveys the idea that if a person is handsome, they are inherently good on the inside, and also, if someone is deemed unattractive, it is believed to be a reflection of their internal character.
***Women in ancient Greece were not discouraged from participating in sports, as physical fitness was valued. Spartan women played a crucial role in promoting physical education, recognising the positive impact of good fitness on childbirth. However, limited documentation suggests societal perception of women's sports as insignificant, with predominant representations featuring men.
Little has changed in this regard, we observe a similar pattern in today's women's sports, not enjoying the same level of popularity as men's sports, and I believe this is justified. However, I would like to emphasize that I value a woman with a healthy and fit body more than one who does not possess these qualities. It is inherent in human nature to be drawn to a partner who appears the healthiest.
Hair held great importance as a symbol of femininity and beauty in ancient Greek culture. The depiction of women with beautiful hair is a recurring theme in various texts and myths, with many of their goddesses like Circe and Calypso credited with beautiful hair. This association with divine charm and attractiveness suggests hair was a seductive attribute that enhanced a woman's appeal.
Veils were commonly used by women in ancient Greece as a means of modesty and protection. The act of veiling not only added an element of mystery but also enhanced a woman's allure. By partially concealing their features, women could entice and captivate through the selective revelation of their physical beauty.
Female beauty and sexuality were frequently depicted in Greek mythology as deceitful and treacherous, reflecting society attitudes and beliefs of women's roles and likelihood for destroying the existing order. Female beauty was viewed as a powerful force capable of seducing men and ultimately causing their downfall.
In contrast, male attractiveness in Greek mythology was commonly celebrated as a divine gift bestowed upon exceptional individuals.
Nevertheless, the drive for physical attractiveness held a significant place in the minds of both men and women. While body modification remained predominantly a masculine method for achieving beauty ideals, ancient Greek women employed a variety of cosmetics to accentuate their features and enhance their appearance. One common practice was the use of eyeliner to emphasize the shape of their eyes.
In addition to eyeliner, ancient Greek women also used eyebrow liner to enhance their eyebrows. Various substances, such as charred saffron, crushed antimony, soot, and fungus, mixed with other ingredients, were used to darken and fill in the space between the eyebrows.
****Cosmetics were not limited to the area around the eyes, even the eye itself was subject to alteration. Substances like stibnite, vitriol, and lapis lazuli were put into the eyes to make them appear larger. Ancient Greece saw widespread use of skin care products and cosmetics to alter skin appearance, with women seeking a pale, smooth complexion as a sign of social status and leisurely lifestyle. White lead was commonly used despite its known toxicity.
JFL. They were true hardcore looksmaxers, putting lapis lazuli in their eyes to make them appear larger. Lapis lazuli is a fucking blue stone, and they used white lead for their skin to get a more pale and flawless complexion, despite the fact that they knew it was toxic. They were willing to go to extremes to achieve their looksmax goals.
Male Beauty competitions, known as kallisteia, were held in different parts of Greece and were associated with religious cults. The rewards attained by the winners of these competitions were similar to those given to victors in athletic festivals.
In addition to these, there were the euandria and euexia competitions.
Euandria was based on strength and required more than just static posing. Participants were expected to perform to demonstrate their physical abilities.
Euexia focused on qualities such as symmetry, definition, tone, bearing, and, most importantly, an overall fit and healthy appearance rather than size.
*****Beauty was important in the art of persuasion and transforming public opinion in ancient Greek civilization. This manipulation of beauty was a widespread method used by people wanting to gain support or persuade others to embrace their cause.
******Hetairai, known as companions in Attica, were a class of women whose beauty, education, and ability to inspire ruinous infatuation set them apart. They occupied a distinct position within ancient Greek society, providing both sexual and intellectual companionship to men.
Unlike the more explicit category of pornē (prostitutes), hetairai had the potential to gain freedom, become independent contractors, and form relationships with affluent men, thus exerting their own influence and accumulating wealth.
Their exceptional beauty and cultivated intellect not only granted them access to exclusive social circles but also enabled them to engage in stimulating intellectual conversations that extended beyond the confines of physical relationships. Unlike wives, who were primarily expected to fulfill domestic roles.
This reminded me of a story I once read about Alcibiades, an Athenian politician and general known for his charismatic personality and controversial actions.
Alcibiades was famed throughout his life for his physical attractiveness, of which he was inordinately vain. He used his charm and beauty to reach enormous political heights, even cuckolding the King of Sparta. Noted for his confidence and rapid speech, he became a captivating and persuasive speaker, engaging in many affairs.
He is also well known for using his beauty to escape punishment for various crimes, and people didn't mind, in fact, they felt infatuated by him.
For example, on one occasion, Alcibiades punched a wealthy Athenian named Hipponicus in the head after his friend made a bet with him. This random act of violence caused a stir among the Athenian elite. The next morning, he went to Hipponicus’s home to apologize. Upon being admitted into Hipponicus home, Alcibiades stripped naked and demanded to be chastised for yesterday’s actions.
Alcibiades actions impressed Hipponicus so much that he forgot about the assault and immediately offered Alcibiades his daughter Hipparete’s hand in marriage.
He betrayed both Athens, Sparta, and Persia, getting away with it. To be honest, he was not only good looking but also very cunning.
Alcibiades was famed throughout his life for his physical attractiveness, of which he was inordinately vain. He used his charm and beauty to reach enormous political heights, even cuckolding the King of Sparta. Noted for his confidence and rapid speech, he became a captivating and persuasive speaker, engaging in many affairs.
He is also well known for using his beauty to escape punishment for various crimes, and people didn't mind, in fact, they felt infatuated by him.
For example, on one occasion, Alcibiades punched a wealthy Athenian named Hipponicus in the head after his friend made a bet with him. This random act of violence caused a stir among the Athenian elite. The next morning, he went to Hipponicus’s home to apologize. Upon being admitted into Hipponicus home, Alcibiades stripped naked and demanded to be chastised for yesterday’s actions.
Alcibiades actions impressed Hipponicus so much that he forgot about the assault and immediately offered Alcibiades his daughter Hipparete’s hand in marriage.
He betrayed both Athens, Sparta, and Persia, getting away with it. To be honest, he was not only good looking but also very cunning.
Hetairai were, in reality, what we would call today escorts, they were more upper class prostitutes, more beautiful, cleaner, more luxurious, and better educated, reserved for those with money and high status.
This is also why I always tell users here to gain control over their emotions and urges, otherwise, they will be susceptible to being played by women, just like how these Hetairai played the men of those days, gaining fame, wealth, and prestige just by enticing them.
This is also why I always tell users here to gain control over their emotions and urges, otherwise, they will be susceptible to being played by women, just like how these Hetairai played the men of those days, gaining fame, wealth, and prestige just by enticing them.
Another brutal reality in Ancient Greece was Pharmākos, a human scapegoat used in certain state rituals. In Athens, for example, a man and a woman deemed ugly were selected as scapegoats each year. During the Thargelia festival in May or June, they were feasted, led around the town, beaten with green twigs, and driven out or killed with stones. The custom was intended to annually rid the place of ill luck. Brutallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
In ancient Greece, men with reddish-blonde thick curling hair, full lips, a chiselled face and glistening tans were regarded as the most beautiful.
The Mycenean king Menelaus, an integral figure in the Trojan War, was described as red haired in the Odyssey.
His wife, Helen of Troy, considered the most beautiful woman in the world, was fair, with long, golden red hair and blue eyes, according to the ancient Greek poets.
Red hair refers to a lightvbrown color that glimmers golden red in the Mediterranean sunlight.
Aristophanes, an ancient Greek playwright, described ideal masculine characteristics as "a shining chest, bright skin, broad shoulders, a tiny tongue, strong buttocks, and a little penis." Large penises were considered vulgar and a sign of stupidity .Simply put, a little, flaccid penis symbolized self control and morality.
Ancient Greek females ideals were a pear shaped body with rounded buttocks, long, wavy hair and a gentle round face, large breasts. In ancient Greece, a large butt, on both men and women, was prized.
The ancient Greeks, like us today, thought symmetrical faces were the most beautiful. This demonstrates harmony, despite the fact that some users here argue it does not exist.
To conclude, beauty standards in ancient Greece were heavily influenced by the societal needs and values of the time, including the ideal of a strong and athletic male citizen who could protect city states.
Ideals of physical beauty in ancient Greece were shaped by a traditional social structure that placed male Greek citizens at the apex of the hierarchy. The ideal representation of a physically attractive person was a young, athletic Greek male who exhibited features typically valued by the Hellenic people. Physical beauty was tied to moral virtues.
The beauty standards of ancient Greece have had a significant influence on Blackpill, with their emphasis on symmetry, proportionality, and youthful appearance still resonating in modern advertising and media.
Although physical appearance held high regard in ancient Greece, beauty standards have evolved, differing between ancient and modern societies. Nonetheless, the foundation remains, and in my opinion, ancient Greece stands as the very first civilization to adopt mass blackpill thinking.
@Veganist @wollet2 @juste @Pei @Idontknowlol
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