"Marriage in ancient Rome was a fundamental institution of society and was used by Romans primarily as a tool for interfamilial alliances."
The traditions and practices surrounding marriage in ancient societies.
The concept of marriage in different cultures: This covers the study of marriage customs across various cultures, including the different definitions and practices related to marriage.
The roles and responsibilities of men and women in ancient marriage: This discusses the gender roles and expectations placed on men and women in ancient marriage customs.
The types of marriages: This covers different types of marriage customs such as monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, and group marriages.
Marriage ceremonies and rituals: This covers the different ceremonies, rituals, and traditions surrounding marriage in various ancient cultures.
The role of religion in marriage customs: This discusses how various religions have influenced and shaped marriage customs.
The impact of politics and social hierarchy on marriage: This covers the effects of political and social status on marriage practices in ancient societies.
Gender and sexuality in ancient marriage: This topic explores the attitudes and practices of gender and sexuality in ancient marriage customs.
Marriage and family structures: This topic covers the various family structures and dynamics shaped by ancient marriage customs.
Divorce and remarriage: This topic explores the practices surrounding divorce and remarriage in ancient cultures.
Infidelity and adultery in marriage: This discusses the attitudes and consequences associated with infidelity and adultery in ancient marriage customs.
Arranged Marriage: This is a type of marriage where families play a big role in choosing a spouse for their children. The couple may or may not have a say in the matter. This custom was practiced in many cultures, including ancient Greece, India, and China.
Bridal Dowry: This is a payment made by the bride's family to the groom's family to ensure the comfort of the bride in her new home. This custom was practiced in many cultures, including ancient Rome and medieval Europe.
Polygamy: This is a type of marriage where a person has multiple spouses. This custom was practiced in many cultures, including ancient Egypt, China, and Africa.
Levirate Marriage: This is a custom where a man is required to marry his brother's widow to ensure that she is taken care of. This custom was practiced in ancient Hebrew culture.
Forced Marriage: This is a type of marriage where one or both partners are forced into the marriage against their will. This custom was practiced in some ancient cultures, including Rome and some African societies.
Same-Sex Marriage: This is a type of marriage where both partners are of the same gender. This custom was practiced in some ancient cultures, including ancient Greece and Rome.
Marriage by Capture: This is a type of marriage where the groom kidnaps the bride or has her kidnapped and then marries her. This custom was practiced in some ancient cultures, including ancient Rome and some African societies.
Exogamy: This is a custom where marriage is only allowed between people from different clans, tribes, or social groups. This custom was practiced in many ancient cultures, including India and some African societies.
Endogamy: This is a custom where marriage is only allowed between people from the same clan, tribe, or social group. This custom was practiced in many ancient cultures, including India and some African societies.
Bride Price: This is a payment made by the groom's family to the bride's family to secure the bride's hand in marriage. This custom was practiced in many cultures, including ancient Greece and Africa.
Bloodline Marriage: This is a custom where people marry within their own royal or noble bloodline to preserve their status and wealth. This custom was practiced in many ancient cultures, including ancient Egypt and Europe.
Matrilineal Marriage: This is a custom where the husband becomes part of the wife's family and takes her name. This custom was practiced in some ancient cultures, including some Native American tribes.
"Roman citizens could have only one spouse at a time..."
"Early Christianity embraced this ideal of monogamous marriage, and perpetuated it as an essential element in many later Western cultures."
"The abduction of the Sabine Women may reflect the archaic custom of bride abduction."
"Marriages helped families to build economic and political bonds and alliances."
"Matrimonium, the root of the English word matrimony, defined the role of wives as mothers (matres) who would produce legitimate children, as eventual heirs to their parents' estates."
"The most ancient form of marriage, traditionally reserved to the Patrician social class, claimed the husband's right to control his wife and her property."
"In later developments, the bride retained control over her dowry."
"During the Republican era, marriage, divorce, and adultery were matters dealt with by the families concerned."
"Falling marriage and birth rates in the Later Republic and early Empire led to state intervention."
"Adultery was made a crime, for which citizen-women could be punished by divorce, fines and demotion in social status..."
"Men's sexual activity was adultery only if committed with a married citizen-woman."
"Families were also offered financial incentives to have as many children as possible."
"Both interventions had minimal effect."
"Marriage in ancient Rome was a fundamental institution of society..."
"This form of monogamy in Greco-Roman civilization may have arisen from the relative egalitarianism of democratic and republican city-states."
"Marriages helped families to build economic and political bonds and alliances."
"Romulus and his men abducted the Sabine maidens but promised them honorable marriage, in which they would enjoy the benefits of property, citizenship, and children."
"Matrimonium, the root of the English word matrimony, defined the role of wives as mothers (matres) who would produce legitimate children, as eventual heirs to their parents' estates."
"Falling marriage and birth rates in the Later Republic and early Empire led to state intervention."