In ancient times the Romans evidently wore beards but, about the third century B.C.E., adopted the custom of shaving.

Their beards were also long, sometimes divided into two or three tiers of curls, with the mustache trimmed and also curled.

Hebrews. The practice among Hebrew men from the first was to let the beard grow, but it was kept well groomed;

God’s law commanded Israelite men that they should not ‘cut their sidelocks short around,’ nor destroy the “extremity” of their beards. This was not an injunction against trimming the hair or beard but was evidently to prevent imitation of pagan practices. (Le 19:27; Jer 9:25, 26; 25:23; 49:32) To neglect the hair or beard, likely leaving them untrimmed and untended, was a sign of mourning. (2Sa 19:24)