Ancient handshake about to go extinct

Assyrian King Shalmaneser III shaking hands with a Babylonian ruler.

The handshake goes back to the dawning of ancient history but the reason and origin of it are not known. One of the oldest depictions of the handshake is from a ninth-century B.C. relief. A handshake was a symbol of loyalty and friendship in ancient Rome and clasped hands are often found on coins.