Sunday, June 17, 2012

Senior People Meet – Ancient Marriages

Ancient Marriages:

Ancient Greece Marriages - Ancient Egyptian Marriages -
Ancient Roman Marriages - Ancient China Marriages -
Ancient Mesopotamian Marriages - Medieval Marriages - Eternal Embrace

Ancient Marriages
 In ancient times senior people met with no intention of meeting a new mate or marriage. Marriage was for the young. Marriage is a kinship between spouses. Different cultures have varied definition of marriage. Generally, is a legalized social union institution recognizing interpersonal relationships. Spouses living together in daily life and right to procreate. Marriage recognition in sovereign states and countries in formalized wedding ceremony. There are a variety of reasons that couples married. Love is not the only determining factor. Reasons can include one or more reasons: love, libido, legal, spiritual, economic and religious. Family normalization can be factors like arranged marriages and legal protection of children. Ancient marriages were not always formalized by religion ceremony, legal documentation or consenting spouses. In Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and Ancient China couples needed both parents consent  to marry. In China brides and grooms first met at their wedding ceremony. Strict rituals had to be adhered to by the couple, parents, matchmakers and fortune-tellers.  In Ancient Egypt there is not clear documentation about marriage. It is believed the young woman simple moved in with a single man and they were considered married.  In the ancient world martial ages varied between average of fifteen  to thirty years old. Money always has it advantage. In some ancient cultures senior wealthy widower would marry young wives. On the whole marriage was geared for young men and women. Of course, in ancient days the life spans were shorter than in the modern world. Citizens longevity was influenced by disease, hygiene, food supply and hereditary.

Modern seniors are living long active healthy lives. Seniors unlike ancient predecessors are seeking their own compatible mates. Meet senior singles online for a multitude of reasons: companionship, causal relationships, serious relationships, like interest, shared histories and more. The senior population is a large productive demographics. All age demographic are dating online and Senior Meet Compatible Mates Online. Take a look at marriage in the ancient world. 21st Century is a great time for Seniors Dating Online.


Ancient Greek Marriage
Ancient Greece Marriage

In ancient Greece marriage was arranged by intended bride’s and groom’s parents. Marriages were arranged. The bride’s dowry or financial arrangement was arranged by families. Marital ages for girls was between fourteen and eighteen. Grooms marital ages were early twenties and thirties. In ancient Greece the Spartan family represented self-denial and simplicity. Spartan children belonged to the state more than their parents. Spartan males were raised to be soldiers. A Spartan was loyal to the state. Boys were taken from their parents at age 7 and were trained to be solders. Married Spartan men continued to live in barrack until the age of thirty. Married Spartan men met with their wives occasionally for procreation.

Priests did not direct formalized wedding ceremonies. There were a set of formalized rituals couples had to follow before living together and husband and wife. Divorced were easily obtained in Ancient Greece. Any remaining cash from a woman’s dowry had to be refunded to the bride’s parents. Divorce was granted on various grounds; if wife could not produce children or adultery.


Ancient Egyptian Marriage
 Ancient Egypt Marriage

Until the Greece period it was royal tradition brother/sister or father/daughter marriages.
Egyptian mythology, gods marriage between brothers and sisters and fathers and daughters.
Theories may have been it was the king's prerogative and intermarriages strengthened the king's claim to rule. The belief was that the Pharaoh was a descendant of the gods. Cleopatra was married to her brother. The Pharaohs had multiple wives. The "Great Royal Wife" and he had several minor wives. Ramsus II Royal Wife was Royal Queen Nefertari. It is speculated the Ramsus II has multiple off springs from a combination of his wives. The male heir was often married to his sister or stepsister.  It was not uncommon for common people marriages to family members. Marriages seemed to be of people of the same social class but little regard  to race or nationality. Records show that Egyptians married to Nubian's or people of other countries. Polygamy was also practiced in the ruling classes.

Monogamy was a general marriage practice in the the common class. The average age for a bride was 13 years old. Commoner's marriages were not arranged. A young man would take gifts to the intended home. Parental approval is unsettled but dowries were involved strengthens assumption parental approval essential.  Marriage arrangements followed. In early Egypt the future husband made payment to the bride's father. This practice was reversed and the bride's father payed a dowry to husband for wife upkeep. A marriage agreement was made assigning portions of the husband's wealth to the wife and any children resulting from the marriage if a divorce should occur ending the marriage. Wives that brought assets into a marriage remained the wives property if a divorce should result. This included separate ownership of land, slaves and etc she possessed prior to the marriage.  Egyptian law fore bide the transfer of assets to another person without the wive and eldest son's consent. Divorce was easy to obtain in ancient Egyptian society. Conversely, punishment for a wife found guilty of adultery were brutal. The punishment could be stoning or burning. It is not clear if the same punishment applied to adulterous husbands.

There is little written evidence in Ancient Egypt of wedding ceremonies or certificates. It is unclear in Ancient Egypt if brides and grooms needed their parent's permission to marry. Women were considered married if she took her belongings from her parent's house to a single man's house. Single women and men over the age of consent living together in the same house were considered married. The average age for girls was 12 to 14 years of age. Average age for boys was 14 to 19 years of age. Written marriage certificates and divorce agreements do not exist. Men or women could if reason were irrelevant. Ancient Egyptian men regarded women and marriage highly. In Ancient Egypt love was an essential part of life. Royalty and commoner had different set of marriage customs.


Ancient Roman Marriage
 Ancient Rome Marriage

Matrimonium is the root word for "matrimony". Taking a woman in marriage to have children. Prominent families marriages first arranged later if your lucky fall in love. Off springs in a marriage were legitimate children. Married Roman citizens produced new citizens. Both woman and man had to consent to marry. Finally, consent came from the bride's and groom's  fathers. Families of wealth and political status married within their class. Wealth and status was retained within the families. Elite young men married in their mid-twenties after serving in the military. Brides were between 15 - 20 years old.  Dowry's were contributions made by the bride's family. Dowry were to cover expenses in the new household. Dowry's include land, slaves, jewelry, toiletry and clothing.  A females chastity was a prerequisite for marriage. If the wife died during the marriage the dowry was returned to her family.

Unlike the Ancient Egyptian parties could not marry more than one person at a time. The bride and groom could not be closely related.  In general, marriage were no allowed between relatives four times removed or between persons connected by marriage. Divorce was no considered.

Men had their family and professional positions that enabled them to advance in society. A women social advancement depended on marrying a successful man of position. The lives of a woman were dependent on the male they married.

Typical upper class wedding ceremonies were lavish generally paid for by the bride's family. Wedding dates chosen carefully, religious rules eliminated certain days. Before the wedding ceremony during the engagement ceremony the groom gave bride a iron ring. The engagement ring and wedding band were worn on the third finger of the left hand. Roman belief that a nerve from third finger ran directly to the heart. The night before the wedding bride gave her birth locket to her father. That same evening the bride gave her childhood toys away to her family. On the wedding day the bride was dressed by her mother. A belt was tied around her waist. This belt was "knot of Hercules". Hercules was the guardian of wedding life. This belt could only be untied by her husband. Usually the wedding ceremony was held at the bride's fathers house. To legalize the ceremony witnesses had to be present. During the wedding ceremony wedded couple would sacrifice an animal asking the gods for a blessing. At the couples new home the bride was carried over the threshold. Records vary some claim the husband and others claim the bride's attendants carried her  over the threshold.

Marriage required no marriage license, state officials, letter, messenger or proxy. In 18 BC Augustus passed a series of laws pertaining to marriage, parenting and adultery.



Ancient Chinese Marriage
Ancient China Marriages

A wealthy family would never consider their children marrying into a poor family. This view was not exclusive in Ancient China but is and was a world view. Financial successful men were known to have a wife and several concubines. Position of the concubines were generally inferior to the wife and her children.

Feudal society marriages was arranged by the parents. Wealthy and feudal bride and grooms both were arranged marriage that followed three letters and six etiquette's. Keep in mind, the bride and groom do not meet until the wedding ceremony.

Three letters were
  • betrothal letter
  • gift letter
  • wedding letter


Six etiquette's to be completed before the final wedding ceremony:

Proposing;

 Boy’s parents intend to match invite a matchmaker to accompany them to propose to girl’s parents. The matchmaker was usually a woman. If the proposal successful the matchmaker would be rewarded with gifts by both families.


Birthday Matching:

Knowing the girl’s full name and birthday boy’s parents consult a fortune teller. Fortune teller considering name, birthday and the Chinese zodiac predicts whether son’s match will be a happy marriage.


Presenting Betrothal Gifts:
If marriage is predicted to be productive matchmaker takes gifts to girl’s parents and wedding can continue.

Days Before Wedding Ceremony and Wedding Ceremony:
The days before wedding ceremony bride dowry sent to groom’s parent home. Dowry represents brides social status and wealth. Dowry is displayed in broom’s home. At the wedding place both bride and groom are led along red carpet a festive atmosphere. Red symbolizes delight. After the ceremony the new couple retired to their bridal chamber. Guest were treated to a feast.

Ancient weddings were arranged when couples were mid teens and young adults. In ancient Greece, Rome and China marriages were arranged by prospective bride and groom parents. Love was not a major consideration. In China brides and grooms did not meet until their wedding day. Seniors were not considered. Seniors are living longer active healthy productive lives. Seniors are dating and marrying. There has been a surge in Senior Online Dating in recent years. Seniors find your next date Online!


Ancient Mesopotamian Marriages
Ancient Mesopotamian Marriages

Now part of Iraq (country Western Asia between Euphrates and Tigris Rivers). Girls were considered marriage age soon after puberty. Marriages were arranged between the bride's and groom's families. As in most ancient marriages a dowry was arranged between the bride's father and groom.  Families had marriage contracts. Upon marriage the groom gave his wife "dumaki", a sum of money toward the maintenance of the home.  If the wife did not borne children or died the "dumaki" was returned to the husband. The Mesopotamian woman was considered property of her husband. Fathers were masters of their children. The husband was the ruler of both wife and children. Husbands were allowed to keep a concubine. Concubines had lessen status to a wife.  If the husband died it was not uncommon for his widow to marry one of his brothers or closed male relative of the deceased husband. 

Medieval Marriages

Medieval Marriages
 Marriage in Medieval Times was truly a family affair. Marriage was a part of family financial and social planning. Families carefully planned marriages for economic and social enhancement. Marriages were arranged women did not have choices in choosing a partner. Many instances the bride met her future husband at the wedding ceremony. Brides and grooms were generally strangers and in a very few cases grooms were able to choose their brides. Arrangements were made by couple’s parents. Bride’s marriage age about 12 years of age and groom’s about 17 years of age.

After marriages were arranged wedding notices were posted on the church door. This was a notification to the public and to ensure that there were no grounds prohibiting the marriage. If valid reasons was given the church could prohibit the marriage. During the church ceremony the man stood on the right side of the bride. The bible states, Eve was from Adam’s left rib. There was a ring exchange and rings put on fourth finger of left hands. From Roman times, left ring finger believed to have direct connection to heart. Placement on fourth finger a symbol of love. After the wedding there was a large feast. The customs of the bride on the left side of the groom, wedding rings placed on the fourth fingers of left hand and wedding parties are medieval wedding traditions that are carried on today. Presently there are a few changes. Presently, western world marriages are not arranged and people marry for love.


Eternal Embrace
 Eternal Love
  In Mantua, Italy a young couple's skeletons were found. Archaeologist found skeletons of a young couple in loving embraces. Limbs intertwined continuing their life journey beyond death.  Skeletons were found in Mantua, Italy. The skeletons are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 years old during the New Stone Ages. This is the first discovery of lovers embracing.
 Eternal Love Read More !!
 Before Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Roman or Ancient Chinese Marriages skeletons were found of a young couple in Eternal Embrace. These lovers would have been in the New Stone Age Era thousands of years ago there were no formal marriages. Truly, these lovers were lifelong mates with their souls married in life. Records show how marriage has evolved into a legal union between men and women. People marry for different reasons: love, affection, libido, companionship, children, financial security and etc. Man has advanced since the primal era but human nature remains unchanged. Couples are still looking for love, affection, companionship and commitment.


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