Since ancient times, people have practiced the art of physiognomy,
or reading character from physical features. The ancient Greeks compared
the human face to the faces of various animals and birds, such as the eagle
and the horse. They believed people shared certain character traits with the
animals they resembled. A person with an equine, or horselike, face was
thought to be loyal, brave, and stern. A person with an aquiline, or eaglelike,
nose was believed to be bold and courageous, as well as arrogant and selfcentered.