Roman couple on a sculpture
The wedding day in the Roman world was chosen with great care. This was done to avoid any ordinary omens that might adversely affect future life. For example, June was considered a successful month until marriage, while May was seen as very unlucky.
The marriage was preceded, as in Greece, by an engagement – sponsalia. There was, however, a fundamental difference that confirms the existence of greater freedom for women in Rome. In Greece – on behalf of the girl, he consented to the marriage and the promise was made by the father or guardian, and in Rome – the young people (aware of their decision) made a vow to each other. In practice, however, the young couple had to have their parents’ consent.
The day before the wedding, the fiancée was offering her toys from her childhood and her clothes.
More about marriage in Roman society
- Koper Sławomir, Życie prywatne i erotyczne w starożytnej Grecji i Rzymie, Warszawa 1998, s.233.
