Mustaches in the praetorian guard

[john m roberts]

Not only does that prominent Praetorian in the relief have a tiny beard to go along with his moustache, but it is the type known at the time of the restoration as an "imperial." It got this name because it was the type affected by Napoleon III. It was much imitated at the time. One of its best known adherents was Union Gen. George B. McClellan, who had ambitions commensurate with his facial hair. The Civil War era in America was a golden age of facial hair. Other types were the "Prophet" (Jackson, Longstreet), the "Cavalier" (Custer, Pickett) and others. The Cavalier required long hair as well.