Physiognomy in the Ancient World

Dr. Callie Callon, University of St. Michael’s College

Ancient physiognomic thought held that there was an important and revelatory correlation between the body and the soul or character of an individual. The practice of “decoding” the body as a means of discerning a person’s true merit (for better or worse) was widespread and used in the rhetorical realm as both encomium and invective. Early Christian authors were no different from their counterparts in this regard. This lecture will discuss how physiognomic thought informed their characterizations of theological opponents as well as those they wished to praise.