Well, we need to first decide what it means to be a man. The concept of manhood and its narrative is one of complex nature and has evolved throughout history — reflecting the changes in ideals, values, and perspectives.
Throughout history, what it means to be masculine has been defined by the interplay of cultural, social, and historical forces.
The construct of manhood has traversed a diverse landscape of ideals and expectations — as society has contended with beliefs around identity, gender and equality. Throughout the centuries, we can see the broader evolution of masculinity and a man’s role in society — as human thought, values, and power dynamics have evolved.
Let’s explore some pivotal moments throughout history and see how they helped to define masculinity.
Ancient Notions of Manhood
When looking back to the earliest societies, manhood was identified by physical strength, courage and the ability to provide and protects one’s family, tribe and/or city-state.
Ancient societies — such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece — primarily characterized men as warriors and hunters making the embodiment of qualities of heroism, bravery, strength and fortitude essential.
In these societies, manhood was heavily linked to one’s capacity to defend and conquer, but to do so in a way that was honorable and had valor deeply ingrained in it. We see such ideals portrayed in myths, legends and historical records — that celebrate such qualities throughout various conquests — where men were defined by their role as valiant defenders.