Marriage: A Union Through The Ages
May 17th, 2012
For many raised within the western culture, it seems absurd to bind oneself in a loveless union. However, upon closer examination of the history of marriage this is a very modern sentiment. Looking back as far as the Ancient Greeks, it becomes clear that marriage was often seen as a tool to ensure rights of inheritance. The Ancient Romans saw the potential for political gains. Throughout medieval Europe, the arrangement a marriages to create alliances between the elite families was common practice. In fact, even peasants were not allowed the chance to choose their own spouses; generally the community dictated who entered into the union together. These practice helped to reinforce the idea that love would only cause harm to a marriage. While the history of marriage shows that there did not always need to be a ceremony, love, or even just two people of the opposite sex to engage in wedlock, those of modern western cultures do not seem to be willing to give up on the romantic notions that have been attached to a custom that’s origins date back as far as prehistory.