Weddings, Roman StyleAnd marriage

Pre-questions 1. What is the number one reason

people in American give for getting married?

How many marriages per year in America are formed?

What per cent of marriages end in divorce?

What is the average age for men and women to marry in America?

What is the youngest age one can be married in America? (in which state?)

List at least five traditions associated with traditional American weddings Engagement ring Bride wears white Bride wears a veil Father “gives the bride away” Wedding party—best man, maid of honor etc. Exchanging vows in front of family (can be religious) license Throwing of rice/bird seed Reception Wedding cake Throwing the bouquet Garter toss Honeymoon Threshold carry

Name 2 ways Marriages have changed in America since 1950

Roman marriages Took place for establishment of

legitimate children.

Solidify political connections (Pompey and Julia).

Make money.

Arranged by parents Although everyone (bride/groom and all

parents had to agree).

Earliest age 13 for girls 14 for boys. Man was usually much older.

Starts with Sponsalia Betrothal– a dowry is established.

Annulus nuptialis is worn on the left ring finger.

Party is given.

Types of marriage Cum manu

Bride transfers to the control of her husband. He keeps her money. She cannot divorce.

Sine manu

Bride does not transfer into the control of her husband. She may divorce and her family keeps the dowry.

Three types of Ceremonies Confarreatio

Very formal Only patricians Involved sacred

cake (far)

Coemptio

Less formal Ceremonial buying of

wife

Usus Common law Live together for a

year

Confarratio Bride wears a tunic

recta and a flammeum

Dressed by her mother and pronuba

Hair plated with a spear

Haruspex sacrifices a victima and inspects

Sacrifices to Jupiter or Juno

Girl dedicates her bulla and toys to household gods

Ceremony at bride’s home

There are witnesses at the ceremony

Dextrarum iunctio

Girl says vow

Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia

After the Cialis at cena Nuptialis at the bride’s father’s home --bride re-enacts the rape of the Sabine

Women story and tries to run away from the groom

--next a procession through the streets to the groom’s house

--noisy songs, course jokes are song toabout the bride groom

--faces, wedding torches are carried --nuces, nuts are thrown

Groom’s house Flowers are festooned about the home Door posts are smeared with oil The groom carries the bride across the

threshold so she will not slip The party continues The groom gives the wife fire and water

as a symbol of her role as head of the household

Unavira—one man woman She undresses the bride….

Role of WomenForbidden vote Participate in

politics Hold political

office Serve on a jury Plead in court

Allowed Freedom to go

anywhere at any time Travel, do things

without a husband/father

Conduct business Run the entire

household

Compared to today—Roman women had few rights

Compared t 100 years ago-Roman women had many rightsCompared to other ancient cultures—Roman women had amazing rights