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 self - centered.