Lecture on Love and Marriage in Ancient Rome

Introduction

• Marriage and relationships are universal across cultures and time periods.
• Societal approaches to relationships evolve with time.
• Focus on ancient Roman marriage customs.

Purpose of Marriage in Ancient Rome

• Primary purpose: trade wealth and create family connections.
• Produce heirs to carry on the husband's lineage.
• Love was often secondary and sometimes unimportant.

Role and Rights of Women

• Limited rights; seen primarily for marrying and bearing children.
• Women were considered property under the law.
  • Control passed from father to husband upon marriage.
• Typical marriage ages: girls in late teens, boys in mid to late 20s.
• Marriages were arranged by the girl's father.
• Dowry system: wealth provided by bride's family to groom.

Types of Manus Marriage

1. Cotio
   • Translates to "purchase."
   • Resembled a business transaction.
2. Usus
   • Based on cohabitation.
   • Woman under man's control unless she left home for 3 consecutive days.
3. Confarreatio
   • Tied to religion; involved ceremonies.
   • Most similar to modern marriage.

Evolution to Sine Manu

• Later years of the Republic saw the rise of Sine Manu marriage.
• Women remained under paternal family control, not husband's.
• Allowed women more financial and property management freedom.

Influences of Religion

• Weddings heavily influenced by religion.
• Ceremonies often held in June, honoring goddess Juno.
• Importance of avoiding bad omens.

Conditions for Marriage

• Right to marry under Roman law.
• Of marrying age.
• Consent required (though often circumvented).

Wedding Customs

• Sacrifice to household gods from childhood.
• Ceremony at bride's father's house.
• Bride expected to be excited and scared.
• Staged "kidnapping" by groom was symbolic.
• Bride carried over threshold to groom's house.

Roles in Marriage

• Husband: provide for family, possibly work or military.
• Wife: manage household, raise children.
• Importance of mutual devotion and loyalty.

Adultery and Infidelity

• Women faced severe consequences for adultery.
• Men had more freedom; relationships with slaves and prostitutes not considered adultery.

Records and Bias

• Historical records by high-class men may be biased.
• Possible that marriages were happier than described.

Divorce in Ancient Rome

• Legally accepted and free from religious stigma.
• Initially, only men could request divorce.
• Reasons: adultery, alcoholism, infertility.
• Children stayed with the husband's family post-divorce.
• Financial and family ties affected.
• Encouragement to remarry after divorce.

Conclusion

• Ancient Roman marriage customs share some similarities with modern times.
• Personal reflection on living in ancient Rome.